Slot Machines at Arlington Park?

The long-fought battle over adding slot machines at Arlington Park could return to the forefront soon if the Illinois Senate revisits the issue in a postelection veto session.

Local lawmakers say Senate Bill 3146, which would allow up to 1,200 slot machines at each of Illinois' racetracks, would generate revenue to help keep the struggling tracks afloat and also provide badly needed funding for the state's $31 billion capital program.

Racetrack slot machines were one of the big issues left undone in the spring session, and the bill's House sponsor, Democratic state Rep. William Burns of Chicago, said Monday that the bill could gain momentum once the election is over. He said there's an urgent need to fund the state's construction projects, and such projects tend to draw bipartisan support, making the bill more appealing.

“The racetrack industry in Illinois is dying a slow and painful death. This would give them the tools that would allow them to compete with the riverboats and stand on their own two feet, Burns said. “We have enough votes in the House, but we don't know what would happen in the Senate. The question is, are there enough votes in the Senate?