THE JOURNAL & TOPICS NEWSPAPERS | WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2008

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Groups Work Together To Protest Casino

Two organizations opposed to casinos---one from Chicago the other form Philadelphia---are teaming up to protest plans by Chicago billionaire Neil Bluhm to own and operate casinos. One of Bluhm's casino proposals is for Des Plaines.

Leaders of Casino-Free Philadelphia, and Task Force to Oppose Gambling in Chicago, held a press conference yesterday (Tuesday) in downtown Chicago to announce their joint effort to stop casino development, in particular plans by Bluhm to open a casino in a residential neighborhood in Philadelphia.

"We welcome this opportunity to work with a group trying to keep their city free of gambling," said Doug Dobmeyer, spokesperson for the Task Force to Oppose Gambling in Chicago. "The joint resolution we have forged today represents a pact that will benefit the people of Philadelphia and Chicago.

Following the press conference, representatives of the two groups waged a protest of casino plans outside Bluhm's downtown condominium. In addition, Casino-Free Philadelphia plans to give written testimony to the Illinois Gaming Board about its experience with Bluhm and return to give public testimony. Applications in Illinois are due to be filed with the Gaming Board by Oct. 14.