Gov may dump Chicago casino

SPRINGFIELD | It could be dropped to pass capital program passed

Gov. Blagojevich is prepared to revise or outright eliminate plans for a Chicago casino in a bid to jump-start his stalled statewide construction program, a top aide said Tuesday.

The governor also is open to reducing the size of the $34 billion capital plan and rethinking how to pay for it in an effort to gain the support of Mayor Daley and House Speaker Michael Madigan (D-Chicago).

The mayor and speaker have opposed the governor's plan for a city casino, effectively stymieing a capital deal in Springfield.

Blagojevich had proposed a $500 million buy-in for the city in order for a casino to be in Chicago and outlined a plan that would strip the Daley administration of control in how state school construction dollars would be allotted. But the mayor viewed $500 million upfront as too costly and would not accept relinquishing his power over school construction in the city to a gubernatorial-appointed board.

Now, the governor is considering lowering the buy-in figure, giving the mayor broader control over how school construction money is spent and even eliminating the city casino entirely if that's what the mayor wants, Blagojevich's spokesman said.

"There are a whole host of things that are being looked at on gaming to make it more palatable," Blagojevich press secretary Lucio Guerrero said.

"The governor thinks [a capital deal] is too important to let die. He's looking for ways to compromise," Guerrero said.

Blagojevich wouldn't divulge details of his revamped capital plan in a Chicago news conference, but intends to present it to legislative leaders Thursday. That meeting Thursday won't include Madigan, who will dispatch trusted lieutenants.

Madigan has said face-to-face meetings with the governor are not productive and has called casino legislation "dead."