Madigan: Legislature lacks votes to override possible gambling expansion veto

By Dave McKinney

Sun-Times Reporter

The prospects for a gambling expansion package now awaiting action by Gov. Pat Quinn took a turn for the worse Wednesday.

If Quinn vetoes or rewrites the plan that would allow a casino in Chicago, as many expect, the General Assembly lacks the votes to block him, House Speaker Michael Madigan told reporters.

With a one-word answer, the top House Democrat from Chicago responded to a question about whether the Legislature could mount a successful override effort this fall: “No.”

That likely means supporters of the plan to bring casinos to the city, the south suburbs, Lake County, Rockford and Danville will have to start over when a new General Assembly is seated next January.