Journal & Topics Media Group

Arlington Heights State Senator, Rep Awarded


State Sen. Ann Gillespie (D-27th) and State Rep. Mark Walker (D-53rd) were awarded by the Transportation for Illinois Coalition today (Wednesday).

Gillespie and Walker received the Friends of Infrastructure Award from the Transportation for Illinois Coalition today at the Arlington Heights Metra Station, 45 W. Northwest Highway, for their support of “the investment in the community’s infrastructure,” according to a press release.

Gillespie and Walker have supported the railroad system in the suburbs and connecting the northern Illinois suburbs to Chicago and the Rebuild Illinois Capital Plan.

The Transportation for Illinois Coalition has awarded several who supported the Rebuild Illinois Capital Plan; the support in the house was 87 to 24 and Governor J.B. Pritzker signed Senate Bill 690 (SB690) into law at the end of June.

SB690 legalized sports betting and expanded gaming, which would provide the revenues in the Rebuild Illinois Capital Plan.

Illinois has joined the ranks with 14 other states to legalize sports betting. This allows all physical (brick and mortar) casinos, racetracks and sports venues, that hold 17,000 people and up, to have a license to operate a sportsbook.

SB690 expanded gaming, authorizing six new casino licenses in Chicago, Waukegan, Rockford, south suburbs, Williamson County/Walker’s Buff and Danville. The casinos are allegedly going to bring in thousands of jobs in construction and in the casino.

More information on the expansion of Illinois gambling is available on the Illinois General Assembly website.

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