Gov. Pat Quinn dismissed calls for a gambling expansion bill at a press conference yesterday, claiming state lawmakers hot on the gaming bill are "distracted by shiny objects." Instead, Quinn said, the General Assembly must use its spring session on Medicaid, pensions, and the state budget.

Proponents see gambling expansion as a related issue to Medicaid, pensions, and the budget because, they argue, more slot machines, racetracks, and casinos boost state revenue. One supporter is Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel: The mayor has chastised Springfield for not green lighting a Chicago casino.