ELGIN, Ill. (AP) — Casino towns outside Chicago are feeling the sting of a lack of a state budget because they’re not receiving their share of gambling tax revenues.
The (Arlington Heights) Daily Herald reports Elgin, Aurora and Des Plaines are putting together budgets that begin Jan. 1. The cities’ share of casino revenue helps fund road projects, economic development and social services.
Elgin city manager Sean Stegall says the city might not budget any neighborhood street resurfacing projects for 2016 without casino money. Des Plaines finance director Dorothy Wisniewski says delaying casino revenue disbursement could mean cutting capital projects next year by $8 million.
Carie Anne Ergo, Aurora’s chief management officer, says the city’s proposed budget will include programs funded by casino revenue, but that plans would change if funds don’t return.