Major Bill Passed in Illinois

The Illinois General Assembly passed legislation eliminating the ban on riverboat gambling in Cook County, opening the way for a riverboat casino to be floated in a close-in suburb of Chicago, most likely Rosemont. Senate Bill (S.B.) 1017 also allows Illinois riverboat casino operators to operate permanently moored casinos. Under the bill, licensees may conduct gambling, whether on excursion cruises or on permanently moored platforms. Patrons are free to enter and exit permanently moored casinos as they please. The measure removes the ban on riverboat gaming in a county having a population of more than three million. Under Illinois gaming law, licensees are entitled to own up to two riverboats apiece, and are limited to 1,200 gambling participants at any one time, even if the two vessels are being operated concurrently.