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Gaming bill appears doomed; CME package takes some hits
By STEVE BINDER
Illinois Correspondent
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Two measures that would impact the state’s agriculture industry in different ways stalled in the Illinois legislature last week – but lawmakers appear ready to give both another try later this month.

One bill that would expand gambling by adding five new casinos in the state and additional video gaming at selected locations only garnered 58 of the required 60 votes for passage. Money from the gaming expansion would generate millions in additional funding for a variety of agriculture groups, including the University of Illinois extension service, county fairs, conservation programs and other ag purposes.

The chief opponent to the original expansion bill is Gov. Pat Quinn, who has said he will veto any bill that allows video gaming at racetracks and state fairgrounds. Quinn said after the fall veto session ended that any gambling bill will have to be one he agrees with in principle.

“They (lawmakers) will need my help to get this done,” he said.
Lawmakers scheduled a special one-day legislative session Nov. 29 to reconsider the bill and to consider a measure Quinn has said he likely will support – a controversial tax package that would slash the income tax obligations for The CME Group, Inc., the Chicago Board of Options Exchange (CBOE) and a handful of other specific businesses such as Sears.

The operator of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange and the CBOE argued because most transactions now originate out-of-state, rather than on the floor of the exchanges, they should not be taxed by Illinois. Bringing the issue to a head last year was passage of an income tax increase; for businesses, the corporate rate went from 4 to 7 percent.

CME Chair Terry Duffy said at a legislative hearing last week his company isn’t seeking a handout, just fair treatment. He restated that five other states’ officials have made offers to have CME move to their states, but CME wants to stay put.

“I would not be going through all this effort if we did not have a commitment to stay here,” he said. “I simply would have gone to another state, accepted very lucrative proposals and moved our firm.”

CME’s total income tax for 2011 is expected to be $158 million, without any breaks; the company paid $108 million in income tax last year, 6 percent of the corporate total paid to the state.
The draft of the bill under consideration would provide CME about $85 million in tax breaks the first year, about $6 million for the CBOE and about $15 million over 10 years for Sears, whose leaders have said they are strongly considering moving its headquarters out of Hoffman Estates, without the tax relief.

“The framework for a good bill is out there, it just needs to be rebalanced so you’re not taking too much away from certain employers in order to benefit others,” said Todd Maisch, vice president of government relations for the Illinois Chamber of Commerce.

Quinn’s budget director, David Vaught, told lawmakers last week that expected economic growth in future years will cover the lost taxes under the bill.
11/16/2011