Machesney Park Mayor Wants 50/50 Split of Any Potential Casino Revenue
By: Scott Picken
Updated: April 9, 2013
MACHESNEY PARK -- Add Machesney Park to the list of Winnebago County communities supporting a 50/50 split of potential casino revenue between Rockford and the county. State Senator Dave Syverson proposed the split in legislation authorizing a casino in the Rockford area, setting off a dispute between him and Rockford Mayor Larry Morrissey, who wants 100% of the revenue for the city.
Since the issue arose, Loves Park officials also endorsed the 50/50 split while city officials in Roscoe proposed building the casino there along I-90 and splitting the revenue 50/50 between their city and the rest of Winnebago County.
Now, Machesney Park Mayor Tom Strickland is weighing in, endorsing the building of a casino in Rockford if the city agrees to share the tax revenue it would receive. In a statement, Strickland wrote, "
I am in complete agreement with Love Park, Scott Christensen and Senator Dave Syverson on the 50/50 split. I will be sending letters out today to Senate President John Cullerto, Senator Steve Stadleman, Repersenitive Chuck Jefferson, Chairman Scott Christensen and others in support of the 50/50 split. I am also putting a resolution in front of my board next meeting in support of the 50/50 split."
For more on the controversy, click on the article below.
http://mystateline.com/fulltext/?nxd_id=386442
