SPRINGFIELD – Once an analyst for House Speaker Mike Madigan, Springfield lobbyist Christopher Stone is now focused on building a casino in the state capital's historic downtown, next to the Old State Capitol.
Stone's hope, says publicist Ryan Keith, is to "inject this idea in the final days of the legislative session for any possible push for gambling expansion."
The effort is to develop Springfield's downtown, where vacant office space and storefronts abound – 40 percent of those buildings generating no property taxes.
Stone's group, EMS Midwest, proposes a 1200 position casino to draw in tourists visiting the Lincoln Museum. He also suggests demolishing the Stratton Building where House members' offices are located in the Capitol complex, replacing it with parking and green space. He also proposes a movie theater, rooftop restaurant and 30 apartments in the area near the Governor's Mansion.
EMS Midwest has a sister organization also owned by Stone that's called EMS Properties. EMS Properties offers rentals and develops properties in Illinois, Florida and Arizona.
Stone has been a lobbyist in Illinois for over ten years, and registered in January 2017 to continue lobbying. Suddenly in early April, Stone ended contracts with nearly 20 clients:
Stone is clearly one of State Capitol's most connected lobbyists – and could likely financially benefit from a gambling casino moving into town.
