Who is suing the Illinois Lottery over their management and administration?
Blackhawks owner sues over liquor taxes, video gambling Posted by Bob Secter at 4:30 p.m. Blackhawks owner Rocky Wirtz, who also runs a major liquor distribution business, today filed a legal challenge to the state’s new video poker law as well as liquor, candy and other tax hikes slated to go into effect Sept. 1. The lawsuit, filed in Cook County Circuit Court, represents a direct assault on controversial funding mechanisms recently passed by Illinois lawmakers and signed by Gov. Pat Quinn to pay for a showcase $31 billion public works program. The suit challenges the constitutionality of a package of new laws that expand gambling and raise taxes, and Wirtz lawyer Tom Hecht said his client would seek an injunction to block the revenue initiatives. But it is unclear whether any hearing on such a request could take place prior to next Tuesday’s startup date for the increased taxes. The fate of the public works program could be jeopardized by any court ruling blocking or stalling impleme
Illinois’ showcase $31 billion public works program hit serious resistance Tuesday, with both the timetable and the legality of key financing called into question. Chicago Blackhawks owner Rocky Wirtz, who also runs a $1.5 billion-a-year liquor distribution empire, sued in Cook County Circuit Court to challenge funding for the construction package, which relies on a new video poker law as well as liquor, candy and other tax hikes slated to go into effect Sept. 1. Meanwhile, Illinois Gaming Board chief Aaron Jaffe declared it “absolutely impossible” to meet a mid-September deadline imposed by the legislature to draft rules outlining how video poker will be regulated in thousands of bars, restaurants, truck stops and social clubs across the state. Jaffe said he could not predict when the first machines might go online — and bring in cash to help finance road, school and other building projects — cautioning that lawmakers failed to provide adequate money and staff to quickly jump-start
