January meeting with President Cullerton to discuss strategy for 2011

Cullerton’s general plan calls for a House “shell bill” to be passed in the House, and sent to the Senate

The “shell bill” must proceed through the required process in the House:

First Reading – introduction stage

Committee Hearing (majority vote)

Second Reading – amendment stage

Third Reading – passage stage (60 votes)   

Once the House Bill reaches the Senate, contents of the bill will be determined and amended onto the House Bill (in March). Cullerton wants a “big” gaming expansion bill, very similar to SB73  

 The House Bill must make it through the required process in the Senate.

            First Reading

            Committee Hearing (majority vote)

            Second Reading

            Third Reading (30 votes)

The House Bill, as amended, then passes the Senate (by the end of March)   

Because the House Bill will be amended in the Senate, it must return to the House for Concurrence (so that it is approved in final form by both chambers). If the House accepts the Senate amendment (60 votes), the bill is sent to the Governor. While it is theoretically possible for the House to non- concur and request that the bill be finalized in Conference Committee, that process has not been used for many years; thus, if the House fails to concur in the Senate amendment, the bill effectively dies. Cullerton’s goal is to secure final passage by the beginning of April.

The Governor then can sign this bill into law, veto the bill (which the legislature can override by a 3/5ths vote in both chambers), or use his amendatory veto power to suggest changes to the bill (which the legislature can either accept by majority vote in both chambers, or override by 3/5ths vote in both chambers).  

ITHA 2011 Accomplishments to Date:

Cullerton’s game plan was finalized with input and sign off from the entire horse racing industry and the Senate Democratic Leadership. The horse racing industry came up with many of the game plan details, including sponsorship.

After careful thought, four senior and respected legislators were selected to sponsor this legislation:

            Rep. Will Davis (D., Hazel Crest)

            Rep. Mark Beaubein (R., Barrington Hills)

            Senator Terry Link (D,. Waukegan)

            Senator Dave Syverson (R., Rockford)

All four of these legislators accepted this assignment   

The entire horse racing industry met with these four legislators to discuss the legislation and strategy. Lobbyists for the horse racing industry have also educated the new General Assembly members (24 new representatives and 8 new senators)

 A shell bill has been introduced. 

Next Steps:

Maintaining agreement within the horse racing industry.

Continuing to educate legislators on the need for this legislation.

Encouraging ITHA members to meet with their local legislators

Passing the House “shell bill” our of House committee

Amending the House “shell bill” in the Senate

Passing a comprehensive gaming bill out of Senate committee.

Passing a comprehensive gaming bill out of the Senate.

Securing House concurrence with the Senate gaming amendment.

Obtaining the Governor’s signature on the bill.