Illinois Passes Gambling Expansion Bill: Major Ethical Shortcomings, Claims Governor

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. -- (Associated Press) - - Gov. Pat Quinn is blasting the Illinois House for passing a gambling expansion bill he says has "major ethical shortcomings."

Quinn said Wednesday the bill passed by a 69-47 vote does not provide the Illinois Gaming Board with "sufficient time to make critical licensing and regulatory decisions." He says the bill also fails to ensure clear oversight of the proposed Chicago casino.

Quinn said that as long as he is governor, he will not support a gambling bill that "falls well short of protecting the people of Illinois."

The vote passing the bill introduced by Rep. Lou Lang wasn't by a large enough margin to overcome a Quinn veto

Earlier this week, Quinn said Illinois couldn't afford to have lawmakers distracted from crucial issues by more talk of gambling expansion.