Like Bob Seger, who celebrated a birthday this month, state Sen. Terry Link, D-Waukegan, is a gamblin' and ramblin' man, tumbling the dice one more time to get a casino in Lake County. This time, his target is Park City. Is he serious?
Park City home to a gambling den? Will city fathers bring back those late night tavern hours? Wait, Park City only has one bar, the Park Lounge. That would be a real draw for area gamblers --- not!
What's behind Sen. Link's latest scheme? He has the backing of Senate President Jon Cullerton, D-Chicago, and we all know Chicago lawmakers don't do anything unless they have the blessing of Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley. Link's latest plan is to expand the number of state gaming licenses to include Park City, Chicago and Rockford.
He apparently has given up on Waukegan. Is this punishment for Waukegan voters electing rogue Democrat Robert Sabonjian the city's new mayor? Sabonjian the Younger doesn't seem too concerned about this snub, maintaining he has other plans (such as?) to raise millions of gambling revenue which under Link's scheme would go to Park City --- if a license is granted.
Link may have a good idea here. Park City gets the revenue, but the bulk of jobs would go to Waukeganites, undoubtedly. Park City's labor pool is, shall we say, slightly lacking.
But beyond that, where is there room for a casino is Park CIty? Waukegan offered up 32 acres at Fountain Square. The only locale for that in Park CIty would be the former Waukegan Speedway property at Washington Street and Teske Boulevard.
Wouldn't that make for a lovely gaming site, surrounded as it is with tire stores, a state salt dome, and a few junkyards, not to mention trailer parks --- oops, mobile home vistas. Besides, exactly what's underneath that land which serves as an entryway into Waukegan.
What's Link thinking? Perhaps he isn't considering he and his Democratic troops couldn't get Dick Hyde re-elected Waukegan's mayor. Link is vulnerable and a strong Democratic primary challenge the next time around could bring down this one-time powerful pol. Unless, of course, he gambles he can bring a casino to little old Park City. Ka-ching!
Terry Link is carrying the water for those who fund his political efforts. He does not care about the will of those who he supposedly serves.
He has never met a budget enhancement he has not supported. Despite a referendum in the area that soundly disapproved of an expansion of gambling in Lake County, Despite if the Gaming Board concluding that there was skulduggery in the Waukegan proposals.
Terry Link is an embarrassment to the citizens of Lake County and Illinois.
THE HOUND SAYS: And, Sen. Link is different in what way from other Illinois politicians?
they should bring a casino is Lake county i would be nice and close to home!!!
THE HOUND SEZ: Some of us have been saying that for years, except the Illinois Gaming Commission refuses to acknowledge competition from Wisconsin Indian tribes.
Just how is Park City going to provide police, fire and other needed services, plus infrastructure changes that the casino company will not pay for? Waukegan wasted thousands of dollars on legal fees and PR for their failure (not to mention the waste of holding on to that Fountain Square property without being able to collect one penny in taxes), is Park City going to hold a bake sale or car wash to finance this?
THE HOUND SAYS: Well, Hermie, all good questions. But since when has logic dictated where gambling dens are located in Illinois?
The more I continue to look for a glimps of hope for Waukegan(my hometown) the more dissapointed I get. To have to read the way even our paper feels about us is upsetting. Look, yes we have some folks here who struggle, but lets not make things worse. Have some hope for our town. Don't bring in the casinos, I can see your point on why, but is there a need to talk bad about those folks? Park city is what it is, a mobile home community. Don't dismiss those who live there as if they don't have a voice, or work hard for their trailer. We do what we have to do as people to survive. I live closer to Gurnee but I grew up on the south side of Waukegan, I've seen the community change. The more greed there is the more corrupt things are!! Frankly I could do with some honest folks. I'm glad Sabonjian is mayor, maybe he'll get the community to cooperate, instead of continue to hate one another, sounds like high school for goodness sake! Some of us have grown up, and actually get along!
THE HOUND SAYS: Sighing, you sound like another Waukeganite who bailed and moved out of your "hometown" and now wants to complain about a gaming site in Park City. You said you've grown up. Doubtful, chum.
I figured out how they are going to do it.
They'll call it a 'shovel-ready' project and get 'stimulus' money. In addition, since it involves finances, credit and going broke, they'll also ask for TARP money. Since they've already wasted a couple trillion dollars, what's a few million?
The design of the casino will fit with the relatively small space available: It'll be 40 stories high; with each floor having different games at increasingly higher limits. When you reach the top floor and have maxed your credit cards, mortgaged your house, looted the kids' school supplies fund, and sold your spouse's wedding ring, you'll be escorted to a door which leads to a spiral slide all the way to the ground floor. It'll be just like Key Lime Cove, except there's no water.
THE HOUND SEZ: Hermie, Hermie. Key Lime Cove is not 40 stories high.