What’s Potawatomi cooking up in Illinois?

Expanding gaming is a hot topic in Illinois, with lots of talk about a new casino in Chicago or its northern suburbs. While Illinois lawmakers consider expanding gaming as a way to meet the state’s funding, transportation and other needs, the Potawatomi appear to be gearing up to make sure expanded Illinois gaming doesn’t threaten the Tribe’s regional casino monopoly.

The Potawatomi have already spent more than $6 million in Wisconsin to kill the proposed Kenosha casino and keep a firm hold on their monopoly. Imagine how much they will have to spend if they want to do the same thing in Illinois, home to the country’s third-largest media market.

A blog in Springfield, the capital of Illinois, has disclosed that the Potawatomi are polling about the gambling question in the Land of Lincoln. The Potawatomi poll asked residents if they want a statewide referendum on gambling – something that would surely slow the process in Illinois (and help the Potawatomi hold onto their monopoly longer). Wags in the know weren’t surprised that the Potawatomi’s polling showed – you guessed it - support for such a referendum.

Here they go again. Is the poll foreshadowing yet another chapter in the Potawatomi’s anti-competition playbook? Here’s what could happen next:

1) Shockingly, there will probably be a news release or memo “leaked” or circulated stating that the people of Illinois want a statewide referendum on gaming expansion.

2) A mysterious group will start to surface stating that Illinois residents should have a referendum to show their support or opposition on the subject. Television ads will begin to appear, bearing the message that everyone should have a voice, and will be backed by a front group – think “Citizens for Choice” or a similar alias. It the Potawatomi’s anti-competition tactics in Wisconsin are any indication, such a “citizens group” will likely be an Astroturf group funded primarily by the Potawatomi. Don’t be fooled.

3) Once the Potawatomi get the referendum, their next move will be to spend a lot of money – more money than they’ve had to spend on prior referendums. The Potawatomi spent $1 million in an unsuccessful attempt to defeat a 2004 Kenosha County referendum, where voters overwhelmingly endorsed the casino. They’ll probably have to spend $3 million to $4 million in Chicago alone to have any kind of political impact in Illinois. No one said keeping a monopoly was cheap.

All of these actions will be taken to paralyze the gaming market in Illinois, just as Potawatomi is trying to do with its Kenosha shenanigans in Wisconsin. The goal is the same – to maintain their regional monopoly and keep competition away.

Stay tuned as we continue to monitor the Potawatomi and their efforts in Illinois and southeast Wisconsin.

Help put an end to Potawatomi's gaming monopoly by signing the online petition.