Crain's and other media outlets are reporting that the Illinois gaming board has awarded the 10th casino license to Des Plaines, leaving Waukegan empty-handed once again, despite State Senator Terry Link throwing everything he had behind the project.
Has Terry Link lost his mojo? Coupled with the recent defection of Sheriff Mark Curran from the Democratic Party, this is turning into the December from hell for Mr. Link.
I wonder what this might mean for Link's future plans. I always had the idea in the back of my mind that once the casino deal was over, one way or another, that would be the capper on Link's political career. If Waukegan got it, he'd stick around long enough to make sure it was set up so that his buddies, especially Pete Couvall, were in a position to benefit most. If he lost, there's not much more to do, except perhaps go for Mayor of Waukegan (some other day, since the current deadline has passed for this cycle), and the field right now seems pretty crowded. At some point, though, he's going to decide he's had enough and turn over the reigns to Kathy Ryg or Michael Bond.
While we're musing about Link, I heard that Mark Curran and Terry Link really went at it last week on Libby Collins' show on WKRS. I haven't had a chance to listen to it yet, but when I do, I will set out a few of the more choice comments. It got very personal, from what I heard, and it's clear that this has really struck a nerve with Link. Part of his reaction might be to try to fend off a mass defection from his troops, with the thought that if he scares the bejeebers out of his subjects, no one will dare step out of line. I suppose if you ascribe to the "It's better to be feared than loved" philosophy of leadership that might be OK, but I'm glad I'm not in his party. Here's the link to the podcast from WKRS if you want to listen for yourself.
UPDATED: CBS2 has an article on its website with a few quotes from Link, who seems to think the Board stacked the deck against Waukegan. Typical. It's everyone's fault but his.
UPDATED x2: Terry Link tells Russell at the Daily Herald that it's a sad day for Waukegan. Link's been sad quite a bit this month.
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3 comments:
Link is a thug and I look forward to his removal from public service. I for one was opposed to this in the belief that the ugliness of gambling would seep into the north shore.
Thank God.
Maybe Link can move to Des Plaines. He would be much more at-home in C(r)ook County anyway.
Cook County Democrats took care of themselves. Those Democrats outside of Cook County need to wake up to that sad fact, including Senator Link.
The Gaming Board was so concerned about "mobsters" in Rosemont it awarded neighboring Des Plaines the license. I guess "mobsters" will be unable to cross municipal lines in their thought process.
And developer Blum, a favorite of the Chicago Democrats, wins the license with the LOWEST BID?
The Waukegan group once included Mr. Cellini? Who else was in that group that Senator Link was pushing to win that license for Waukegan?
Something smells here.
The whole process of awarding casino licenses smells and has smelled for a long, long time.
I suppose now the Waukegan group will sue and tie this up in court for years to come.
And that big budget hole that the casino license was going to fill and/or was supposed to bring in? From nearly a claimed $750 million to a mere $150 million?
What a state we live in!
Louis G. Atsaves
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