Congressman Jackson, State Rep. Miller

Strongly Oppose Dolton Casino Proposal

Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr. and State Rep. David Miller said today they strongly oppose any state legislation that would bring a casino to Dolton.

"For all the obvious reasons, I oppose a casino in Dolton and I urge state legislators to oppose a casino in Dolton," said Jackson, whose district includes the village.

"Dolton City Hall has a history of corruption. The current mayor was once questioned in a murder and has been accused in federal court of selling police badges to drug smugglers. He should not be entrusted with a casino," Jackson said.

Rep. Miller added: "Transparency is needed in any casino proposal. There has been no public debate regarding any plan offered by Dolton officials. Given that, and the city's notorious past, I fear serious ethical lapses when I think of Dolton and gambling," said Miller, who also represents Dolton.

Jackson and Miller also criticized Dolton's lack of a revenue-sharing plan, which is common among all other proposed south suburban casinos.

"Country Club Hills put together a coalition of 18 communities and 40 school districts -- all of which will share evenly the casino profits. Dolton has never disclosed or discussed revenue sharing," the congressman said.

Miller noted that while "Country Club Hills has been at the forefront of revenue-sharing efforts, other communities, including Calumet City and Lynwood, also embrace it. Not Dolton."

Finally, Jackson and Miller oppose a Senate amendment that requires a south suburban casino to locate within eight miles of the Indiana border, calling it arbitrary and unnecessary to stop the outflow of Illinois dollars to Indiana riverboats. Country Club Hills is 11 miles from Indiana.

"Studies show that new casinos in Chicago and the south suburbs would substantially stop the bleeding of resources to Indiana, whether the casino is in Country Club Hills, Cal City or Chicago Heights," Jackson said.