SPRINGFIELD - House Speaker Michael Madigan endorsed a plan Monday that would add three new casinos to the state's existing fleet of nine.

The Chicago Democrat's embrace of the proposal is the latest wrinkle in a year-long political tug-of-war over how to fund a statewide construction program while also bailing out financially ailing mass transit systems in Chicago.

The plan, which could be debated by lawmakers next week, also would allow slot machines at horse racing tracks. It also would let existing casinos expand the number of gambling positions they offer.

Key to Madigan's support of the voluminous piece of legislation is a set of tough new rules that would stiffen state oversight of gambling operations in the state.

The measure would allow Chicago to have a city-owned casino. The proposal does not identify the sites of the other two casinos.

But, if things go as they have all year, the plan could be 400-some pages of wasted ink and paper.

Numerous prior attempts to bring an end to this year's stalemate have failed because of disagreements among Chicago-area and downstate lawmakers.

Madigan was absent from budget talks last week, meaning his proposal isn't the product of negotiations between party leaders in the House and Senate.

The speaker's plan also runs counter to legislation approved in the House two years ago that would have abolished casinos in Illinois. In order for the measure to be approved, many lawmakers will have to switch their votes on that issue.

State Rep. John Bradley, a Marion Democrat, acknowledged the state needs the $1 billion that would be raised by the proposal in order to move forward with a construction program that would benefit motorists, school children and university students.

But, he is among those opposed to an expansion of gambling.

"It's a bad economic policy for the state. We're going to turn the state of Illinois into New Jersey," Bradley said.

Despite the skepticism, two casino expansion supporters said they think the package of legislation could break the lingering gridlock.

"I believe this will be the beginning of the end of this session," said state Rep. Lou Lang, D-Skokie, a longtime proponent of expanding gambling.

"This is the real beginning of the end of the session that never seems to end," said state Rep. Bob Molaro, D-Chicago, who helped Lang craft the legislation.