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Senate to consider new Illinois casino plan

Chicago would get a city-owned casino and new casinos would be added throughout the state under legislation expected to be introduced in the Illinois Senate.

Rikeesha Phelon is spokeswoman for Senate President John Cullerton. She says Sen. Terry Link plans to present a gambling expansion bill before a Senate committee Thursday.

The bill would allow Chicago to keep all casino revenue for seven years. 

It would add casinos in Chicago's south suburbs, Rockford, Vermilion County and Lake County. It also calls for smaller "satellite" casinos that could be located in Decatur and far southern Illinois.

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel wants a Chicago-owned casino to help the city make ballooning public-pension payments. The state sees new gambling as a source of much-needed revenue.

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