Illinois lawmakers mulling gaming expansion and sports betting WQAD-TV · August 2, 2018 at 4:13 pm SPRINGFIELD, Illinois (Illinois News Network) — A state lawmaker pushing for more gambling to help fill the state’s coffers said there’s going to need to be a lot of give-and-take from those within the industry. State Rep. Bob Rita, D-Blue Island, is set to take another shot at getting his gambling expansion bill through the legislature. The last effort to expand gambling before the end of spring session failed to muster enough support. Rita has hearings scheduled Aug. 22 in Chicago and Oct. 3 in Springfield ahead of the fall veto session.
