On the same day Gov. Pat Quinn announced in his budget address that a gaming expansion in Illinois must have “tough ethical standards,” the Illinois Senate Executive Committee approved legislation that would bring five new casinos to Illinois.

Sponsored by State Sen. Terry Link (D- Waukegan), the gaming expansion bill, SB 1739, bans political contributions from gaming licensees, authorizes electronic gambling on the internet, and permits slot machines at horse racing tracks.

The new casinos are slated for Chicago, Rockford, Danville, Lake County and the south Chicago suburbs. The bill would also allow for slot machines to be installed at Chicago airports.

Approximately $317 million in fees from the initial gaming expansion would go toward paying down Illinois’ $7.2 billion backlog of bills. Additional gaming revenues would go toward pensions and education, and although the Illinois State Fairgrounds would not be authorized for slot machines, it would get $5 million annually.