A blog for people who live in the 41st Ward, Chicago, Illinois. The 41st Ward includes Oriole Park, Norwood Park, Edison Park, Wildwood, Edgebrook, Big Oaks and O'Hare communities.
Friday, February 11, 2011
Do We Want Casinos in the 41st Ward/Chicago?
At the forum the other night, a few of the candidates mentioned building casinos as a means to generate funds for the city budget...
What if someone proposed building a casino near the airport in the 41st Ward?
Reasons why Casinos harm rather than help communities as evidenced by non-biased, academic research:
There have been a number of academically lead research studies done to document the dangers of gambling on a community’s economy and social fabric.
According to one public policy brief written by “Casino Watch”, a not for profit policy group providing analysis and research on the dangers of gambling: “A casino will cannibalize a local economy and result in a net loss of jobs, not a net gain".
1. “Discretionary spending is diverted from other forms of entertainment and consumer expenditures to casinos. Restaurants, hotels and other competing local businesses lose revenue and fail” (Kindt, University of Illinois, Michigan State DCL Law Review 2003)
“In Atlantic city where 78% or 245 of the local businesses and restaurants near the boardwalk went out of business after the casinos opened”
2. “Casinos do not take their profits and throw them back into the local economy. Statistics range that 35% to 87% of the profits are sent out of state in the form of vendor contracts, capital dividends and parent company profit sharing.
In other words, money coming from the local community is not being reinvested into the community…the very foundation of economic development”.
3. Jobs – casinos generate jobs or so we think. In fact, they do not. According to the research, because of the negative impact casinos have on communities, “commercial casinos nationwide generated job losses in more than 42% of the counties with casinos”.
4. Pathologic gamblers engage in all sorts of destructive behaviors that wreak havoc on communities: they commit crimes, run up huge debts, damage relationships with family and friends, and commit suicide.
5. According to the National Gaming Impact Study Commission,” for every $1 collected in tax revenue from the casino, the state spends $3 to deal with the problems it creates”
Policy Brief: Casino Watch, "A Casino's Impact on a Community", Joseph Day, February 7, 2008
So, for the candidates who are looking for quick fix solutions for the city budget crisis, don’t look to casinos as the easy way out…you could entangle us in another mess, like the parking meter disaster.
Casinos are nothing but problems. Any candidate who supports casinos is trying to sell voters a bill of goods. Gamblers don't care about tourism, eating or shopping. They will spend every last dime they have in a casino and have no way home. Then their money is shipped out of the community into the pockets of corporate shareholders. The community gets used and abused.
I wasn't at the forum, but both Gonzalez and O'Connor state that they support land-based casinos, as a solution to the budget crisis, in their editorial board questionnaires.
Gonzalez did state that the only way he would support a Casino is if it was heavily regulated and controlled by strict government oversite and located downtown
I was at the forum and everyone of the candidates except Brock Merk supported the idea of land base casinos. But he is the only candidate that seem to be just to the right of Hitler himself. Scary choices!!!
As long as we are encouraging addictive behaviors, lets push to legalize heroin, coke, marijuana and charge addicts and dealers a 10% sales tax per transaction. Could set up a cocaine stand right outside the casino. That should bale out the city.
We can also tax over-eaters for their addiction. Every chicago resident can "weigh in" once a year and pay $100/pound they are overweight. Oh, and we might as well charge the anorexics/bulemics $100/pound for each pound they are short too.
Oh, and anyone who shops at more than 5 stores per week, could be charged a "shop-o-holics" tax of 10% for all of their purchases after the 5th store/week.
In this economy, when everyone is struggling to stretch a dollar, do we really need to entice people with addictive personalities to throw away their grocery money at Casinos?
Feeding off peoples addictions in order to fund city services is morally and ethically wrong.
I understand the social concerns, but let's be realistic. Our city is a mess. We have a pension crisis. We need cops. Our budget is completely out of whack. This can be done in a smart way.
I can understand the concerns but its not like the next alderman is going to just green-light a five star hotel with a casino at the corner of Harlem and Devon.
We are talking about the airport, downtown, or somewhere people already go with proper security.
We need jobs. We need new business.
Why would we let the revenue go to Rosemont or Indiana?
Let the headaches, social problems, small business closures, traffic congestion, increased crime all go to Rosemont and Indiana..yes, absolutely.
We should be creating manufacturing jobs, where we can make things again. Good solid jobs where people learn a trade and can pay a mortgage...not crappy low wage casino jobs. Gimme a break.
the 41st ward wants a casino to pay for ward services and city employees pensions, just don't put it in our ward. sends a stellar message about the people who live here.
How does heavy regulation and strict goverment oversight help the small business owner when their business goes under once the casinos open? Casinos sound like another quick fix, screw people decision.
Just for a checklist....per their questionnaires. There really needs to be a checklist that this site prepares on everyones stances. It should include gambling, vouchers, living wage, ets. Make sure that it shows the hot/devisive issues so that the favorite children get some scorn.
Merck.. Against gambling and all the baggage it carries.
Jim Mullen..Yes casino
Ateca..Yes, for widespread gambling
Gavin..For casino, against widespread video gambling
To Mr. Merck or a Merck supporter: I will post your comments and thoughts, but they must be somewhat civil. Also, I am not your communications director, so quit sending me directives on how to run my bog.
I can understand how the allure of easy money, via a casino, could attract a politician who wants an easy way to deal with a budget deficit.
The reality is we live in a world were we have instant everything..instant communication, instant service etc, etc. Economic development does not happen overnight.
There is no instant, easy gratification. And the best solutions, are the ones that come from hard work, and delayed gratification knowing the wait will bring the long tem desired results we need to raise our families here.
The city budget needs a major overhaul and in the 77 communities of Chicago, we need to do our part to attract small businesses, manufacturing and other avenues to develop our neighborhoods.
Casinos are not a long term answer to the problems we have with municipal budgeting and finance.
Actually, James Schamne also opposed casinos of any sort in Chicago according the Tribune questionnaire and some other candidates do not necessarily "support" casino"S" but just one world-class casino downtown. Please research before making such a strong statement.
In a central downtown location. Like near McCormick. Our ward is not right for a casino. It is a residential ward. If any candidate supported a one in our ward, it'd be silly.
Atlantic City Casino Gambling Falls 13% in January By Beth Jinks - Feb 10, 2011 1:24 PM CT
Atlantic City’s casino gambling revenue fell 13 percent in January, extending four years of decline at the New Jersey seaside resort beset by competition from nearby states.
Betting proceeds shrank to $255.4 million, the New Jersey Casino Control Commission said today on its website. Slot machine revenue at the 11 casinos slid 16 percent from a year earlier to $164.9 million, and table game winnings were down 8.3 percent to $90.5 million.
Gambling in the second-biggest U.S. casino market after Las Vegas has tumbled to $3.57 billion in 2010 from a peak of $5.2 billion in 2006 -- before Pennsylvania and Yonkers, New York, allowed slot machines. Competition also has come online in Delaware, Maryland and West Virginia.
Six of Atlantic City’s casinos went through bankruptcy or restructured debt during the financial crisis, and development has stalled. New York City is adding its first slots at a racetrack in Queens this year, intensifying competition in the region.
New Jersey Governor Chris Christie is overhauling regulators and creating a tourism district around the casinos to help halt the marketwide decline, which is hurting tax revenue.
To contact the reporter on this story: Beth Jinks in New York at bjinks1@bloomberg.net
We haven't recovered from the last recession. How can anyone think building a new, expensive casino will create new funding stream, when no one has money to travel much less gamble. dumb idea.
They already have 1 that is pretty close. Des Plaines is just down the street from us. Im OK with Casino's I just don't want one in my back yard.
ReplyDeleteSo if they want to build one out in the Ghetto like Austin or Englewood Im fine but I don't want a Casino in the 41st ward, 45th ward etc.
There already is a casino being built near the airport in Des Plaines.
ReplyDeleteI am all in favor of a world-class one being built downtown. It would create jobs, generate revenue, and attract tourism.
Reasons why Casinos harm rather than help communities as evidenced by non-biased, academic research:
ReplyDeleteThere have been a number of academically lead research studies done to document the dangers of gambling on a community’s economy and social fabric.
According to one public policy brief written by “Casino Watch”, a not for profit policy group providing analysis and research on the dangers of gambling: “A casino will cannibalize a local economy and result in a net loss of jobs, not a net gain".
1. “Discretionary spending is diverted from other forms of entertainment and consumer expenditures to casinos. Restaurants, hotels and other competing local businesses lose revenue and fail” (Kindt, University of Illinois, Michigan State DCL Law Review 2003)
“In Atlantic city where 78% or 245 of the local businesses and restaurants near the boardwalk went out of business after the casinos opened”
2. “Casinos do not take their profits and throw them back into the local economy. Statistics range that 35% to 87% of the profits are sent out of state in the form of vendor contracts, capital dividends and parent company profit sharing.
In other words, money coming from the local community is not being reinvested into the community…the very foundation of economic development”.
3. Jobs – casinos generate jobs or so we think. In fact, they do not. According to the research, because of the negative impact casinos have on communities, “commercial casinos nationwide generated job losses in more than 42% of the counties with casinos”.
4. Pathologic gamblers engage in all sorts of destructive behaviors that wreak havoc on communities: they commit crimes, run up huge debts, damage relationships with family and friends, and commit suicide.
5. According to the National Gaming Impact Study Commission,” for every $1 collected in tax revenue from the casino, the state spends $3 to deal with the problems it creates”
Policy Brief: Casino Watch, "A Casino's Impact on a Community", Joseph Day, February 7, 2008
So, for the candidates who are looking for quick fix solutions for the city budget crisis, don’t look to casinos as the easy way out…you could entangle us in another mess, like the parking meter disaster.
Who were the candidates who wanted casinos in Chicago?
ReplyDeleteHow can a 41st ward alderman support casinos with the caveat "as long as they aren't in my ward"...?
ReplyDeleteCasinos are nothing but problems. Any candidate who supports casinos is trying to sell voters a bill of goods. Gamblers don't care about tourism, eating or shopping. They will spend every last dime they have in a casino and have no way home. Then their money is shipped out of the community into the pockets of corporate shareholders. The community gets used and abused.
ReplyDeletewhose idea was this?
ReplyDeleteI wasn't at the forum, but both Gonzalez and O'Connor state that they support land-based casinos, as a solution to the budget crisis, in their editorial board questionnaires.
ReplyDeleteGonzalez did state that the only way he would support a Casino is if it was heavily regulated and controlled by strict government oversite and located downtown
ReplyDeleteI was at the forum and everyone of the candidates except Brock Merk supported the idea of land base casinos. But he is the only candidate that seem to be just to the right of Hitler himself. Scary choices!!!
ReplyDeleteAs long as we are encouraging addictive behaviors, lets push to legalize heroin, coke, marijuana and charge addicts and dealers a 10% sales tax per transaction. Could set up a cocaine stand right outside the casino. That should bale out the city.
ReplyDeleteWe can also tax over-eaters for their addiction. Every chicago resident can "weigh in" once a year and pay $100/pound they are overweight. Oh, and we might as well charge the anorexics/bulemics $100/pound for each pound they are short too.
Oh, and anyone who shops at more than 5 stores per week, could be charged a "shop-o-holics" tax of 10% for all of their purchases after the 5th store/week.
In this economy, when everyone is struggling to stretch a dollar, do we really need to entice people with addictive personalities to throw away their grocery money at Casinos?
Feeding off peoples addictions in order to fund city services is morally and ethically wrong.
This is Chicago people. Not Utah.
ReplyDeleteI understand the social concerns, but let's be realistic. Our city is a mess. We have a pension crisis. We need cops. Our budget is completely out of whack. This can be done in a smart way.
I can understand the concerns but its not like the next alderman is going to just green-light a five star hotel with a casino at the corner of Harlem and Devon.
We are talking about the airport, downtown, or somewhere people already go with proper security.
We need jobs. We need new business.
Why would we let the revenue go to Rosemont or Indiana?
Let the headaches, social problems, small business closures, traffic congestion, increased crime all go to Rosemont and Indiana..yes, absolutely.
ReplyDeleteWe should be creating manufacturing jobs, where we can make things again. Good solid jobs where people learn a trade and can pay a mortgage...not crappy low wage casino jobs. Gimme a break.
the 41st ward wants a casino to pay for ward services and city employees pensions, just don't put it in our ward. sends a stellar message about the people who live here.
ReplyDeletetax the rich for a change and we won't have to oppress the poor and addicted with a casino
ReplyDeletewhat's wrong with Utah?
ReplyDeleteWe just heard the same story a short time ago about how the sale of the parking meters was going to fix our budget, blah, blah, blah.
ReplyDeleteso that's the plan? build casinos? we are doomed
ReplyDeleteHow does heavy regulation and strict goverment oversight help the small business owner when their business goes under once the casinos open? Casinos sound like another quick fix, screw people decision.
ReplyDeleteI think that overeaters tax is a good idea. Let me see how many shares of weight watchers stock I have.
ReplyDelete"we can do this the smart way" sounds like politician rhetoric -
ReplyDeleteI want toddler to grow up to be a casino worker, make $8.50/hour, and live in my basement for the rest of his life.
ReplyDeleteJust for a checklist....per their questionnaires. There really needs to be a checklist that this site prepares on everyones stances. It should include gambling, vouchers, living wage, ets. Make sure that it shows the hot/devisive issues so that the favorite children get some scorn.
ReplyDeleteMerck.. Against gambling and all the baggage it carries.
Jim Mullen..Yes casino
Ateca..Yes, for widespread gambling
Gavin..For casino, against widespread video gambling
Quinn..Yes to one casino
Murphy..Yes for all gambling
Gonzalez..Yes casino.
Taxing overeaters is a good idea. We can call it the Chicago "fat tax"
ReplyDeleteWhich candidates are for and against the casino's. Merck spoke out against them at the Norwood park forum and pointed out that others were for them?
ReplyDeleteTo Mr. Merck or a Merck supporter: I will post your comments and thoughts, but they must be somewhat civil. Also, I am not your communications director, so quit sending me directives on how to run my bog.
ReplyDeleteWhich candidates are for and against the casino's. Merck spoke out against them at the Norwood park forum and pointed out that others were for them
ReplyDeleteMuch better
ReplyDeleteSay what?
ReplyDeleteI can understand how the allure of easy money, via a casino, could attract a politician who wants an easy way to deal with a budget deficit.
ReplyDeleteThe reality is we live in a world were we have instant everything..instant communication, instant service etc, etc. Economic development does not happen overnight.
There is no instant, easy gratification. And the best solutions, are the ones that come from hard work, and delayed gratification knowing the wait will bring the long tem desired results we need to raise our families here.
The city budget needs a major overhaul and in the 77 communities of Chicago, we need to do our part to attract small businesses, manufacturing and other avenues to develop our neighborhoods.
Casinos are not a long term answer to the problems we have with municipal budgeting and finance.
Every candidate with the exception of Brock Merk supports casinos in Chicago
ReplyDeleteFredo said: "I'm going to learn the Casino business"
ReplyDeleteActually, James Schamne also opposed casinos of any sort in Chicago according the Tribune questionnaire and some other candidates do not necessarily "support" casino"S" but just one world-class casino downtown. Please research before making such a strong statement.
ReplyDeleteSo, some of the candidates want one "world class" casino dumped in another ward. This just keeps getting better.
ReplyDeleteIn a central downtown location. Like near McCormick. Our ward is not right for a casino. It is a residential ward. If any candidate supported a one in our ward, it'd be silly.
ReplyDeletedoesn't matter where the casino goes in Chicago, the entire idea is silly, and makes no sense as a solution to the city's financial problems.
ReplyDeleteAtlantic City Casino Gambling Falls 13% in January
ReplyDeleteBy Beth Jinks - Feb 10, 2011 1:24 PM CT
Atlantic City’s casino gambling revenue fell 13 percent in January, extending four years of decline at the New Jersey seaside resort beset by competition from nearby states.
Betting proceeds shrank to $255.4 million, the New Jersey Casino Control Commission said today on its website. Slot machine revenue at the 11 casinos slid 16 percent from a year earlier to $164.9 million, and table game winnings were down 8.3 percent to $90.5 million.
Gambling in the second-biggest U.S. casino market after Las Vegas has tumbled to $3.57 billion in 2010 from a peak of $5.2 billion in 2006 -- before Pennsylvania and Yonkers, New York, allowed slot machines. Competition also has come online in Delaware, Maryland and West Virginia.
Six of Atlantic City’s casinos went through bankruptcy or restructured debt during the financial crisis, and development has stalled. New York City is adding its first slots at a racetrack in Queens this year, intensifying competition in the region.
New Jersey Governor Chris Christie is overhauling regulators and creating a tourism district around the casinos to help halt the marketwide decline, which is hurting tax revenue.
To contact the reporter on this story: Beth Jinks in New York at bjinks1@bloomberg.net
I like the fat tax
ReplyDeleteWe haven't recovered from the last recession. How can anyone think building a new, expensive casino will create new funding stream, when no one has money to travel much less gamble. dumb idea.
ReplyDeletecasinos are not the answer and I am not from Utah.
ReplyDelete