ROCKFORD – Over the weekend, longtime state Senator Dave Syverson (R-Rockford) posted a photo of himself with the incoming new Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot, and declared that he agreed with her on one thing – well really two things – a casino in Rockford and a casino in Chicago.
"Had a chance to meet with new Chicago Mayor. One thing we certainly agree on is Casino’s in Chicago and Rockford," the senator wrote.
A constituent defied the senator's eagerness for more casinos in Illinois, saying, "Gambling revenue comes from the same pot of revenue as before gambling arrives. Therefore, more money spent on gambling means less money spent on the stuff before gambling."
The writer wrote consumers always lose at the table as the odds are set by the state, and went on to write, "Lastly, gambling operators are bottom feeders and the wrong people to mix with!"
Senator Syverson stood his ground, however, answering publicly that getting a casino in Rockford and Chicago is "good economics."
"First, last year $1.5 billion left Illinois for gaming, and that was just … to our five surrounding states. If just a portion of that was left in Illinois it would’ve meant significant dollars for us," Syverson wrote.
He said the commenter was right that people have just a certain amount of disposable dollars to spend. Some spend their money at restaurants where that dollar is churned once, and sent to a corporate headquarters out of state. Illinois gets some sales tax and some income earned from those who worked at the restaurant, or they can buy electronics item or clothing. In that case, again the dollar is churned one time and money is then sent out of the country.
But it's different when those funds are spent at a gambling casino, Syverson said.
"With gaming, however, the tax is significantly higher – meaning more revenue staying in the state. The salaries of those working at casinos are higher than retail which means also better return for the state," Syverson said. "So it’s looking strictly from an economics standpoint gaming has a better economic value from disposable dollar standpoint then do other most other uses of disposable dollars."
"Lastly, from Rockford standpoint if we don’t get one and Beloit does it’s pretty much over economically for Rockford," Syverson said. "Gaming is certainly not the answer to the economic problems Illinois has but it is at least one piece of the pie. 👍"
Senator Syverson has been encouraged by the gambling industry for years to be an advocate of a Rockford casino. He was in Las Vegas at a gambling industry convention the weekend the terrible shooting took place in Las Vegas in the fall of 2017:
