\nBy Sara Burnett
\n\tThe Associated Press
\n\tPosted Oct 23, 2013 @ 02:35 PM
\n\tLast update Oct 23, 2013 @ 08:43 PM<\/p>\n
\tIllinois lawmakers re-opened talks Wednesday on a gambling expansion measure in the hopes of reaching a deal that could get through the legislature and win the approval of Gov. Pat Quinn, only to see the same issues that doomed earlier proposals resurface.<\/p>\n
\tThe sponsor of the bill to add five new casinos and allow slot machines at Chicago\u2019s two major airports and horse racing tracks said he will work to try to address concerns. But Rep. Robert Rita couldn\u2019t say if the plan will be put to a vote yet this fall.<\/p>\n
\t\u201cThis is something that I\u2019m committed to getting done and something that needs to be done right,\u201d the Democrat from Blue Island said.<\/p>\n
\tThe rehashing of the gambling bill capped a shortened first week of a fall legislative session that saw little new action, at least in public. The Illinois House also ensured museums and aquariums will have to continue offering free admission 52 days a year, upholding action by Gov. Pat Quinn to stop those days from being cut in half.<\/p>\n
\tAnd opponents of same-sex marriage gathered at the Capitol for a prayer service and rally, pushing back against a measure that would legalize such unions that already has passed the Senate. Supporters of the legislation, which wasn\u2019t called for a vote in the House this spring, held their own event on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
\tLawmakers said they were still working behind the scenes on a plan to fix the state\u2019s massive public pension shortfall and a separate measure to give financial incentives to several companies, including Archer Daniels Midland Co. and Office Max, to keep their headquarters in Illinois.<\/p>\n
\tBoth the House and Senate canceled today\u2019s session. Lawmakers are scheduled to return to Springfield for the final week of the fall session in early November, when they\u2019re also expected to consider requests from several agencies that say they need more money.<\/p>\n
\tQuinn, a Chicago Democrat, has vetoed two previous gambling proposals over concerns they didn\u2019t include enough protections against corruption.<\/p>\n
\tThe bill discussed Wednesday passed the Senate last spring but failed to get a vote in the House, in part because of concerns about oversight of a Chicago casino and how revenues from other casinos would be shared. It calls for casinos in Danville, Rockford, Chicago\u2019s south suburbs and Lake County in addition to the Chicago casino. It also would allow slots at O\u2019Hare and Midway international airports and other locations.<\/p>\n