Kurt Erickson and Jason Nevel

kurt.erickson@lee.net | jason.nevel@lee.net

SPRINGFIELD - A week after rejecting a similar plan, the Illinois Senate narrowly approved a massive expansion of gambling late Saturday.

The plan, approved on a 30-28 vote, would add four additional casinos to the state's current fleet of nine and allow horse racetracks to install slot machines.

State Sens. Mike Jacobs of East Moline and Gary Forby of Benton were among Democrats voting for the measure.

Most Republicans, including state Sens. Bill Brady of Bloomington, Dale Righter of Mattoon, Dan Rutherford of Chenoa, Kyle McCarter of Lebanon and Dave Luechtefeld of Okawville, voted "no."

The new casinos would be located in Rockford, Danville, Chicago and suburban Chicago.

Supporters said the proposal would help generate $1 billion to fill the state's gaping budget hole.

But, it faces an uncertain fate in the House, where House Speaker Michael Madigan previously said gambling would be a tough sell in the chamber. The House voted nearly four years ago to completely ban all casino gambling.

Similarly, Gov. Pat Quinn has called gambling expansion to fix the state budget a "bad bet."

"I just think the idea of moving such a massive expansion of gambling is not going to be productive for job creation," Rutherford said. "I think it's recycling dollars from one pocket to another."

The vote came at a time when state officials also are mulling a plan to legalize video gambling, which would allow machines in bars and clubs to raise money for a statewide construction program.

Said Righter, "We spent a lot of time on an issue that won't see the light of day in the House of Representatives."

The legislation is Senate Bill 744.