Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker (D) signs a bill this week giving new powers to the Department of Insurance. Pritzker may also sign a new bill that would allow individuals with felonies to work in casinos in the state. (Image: Capitol News Illinois)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\r\n\r\nCurrently, people with felony convictions are barred from working in Illinois casinos. But Senate Bill 1462, which was passed in May, is awaiting Governor J.B. Pritzker\u2019s (D) signature and would allow some ex-cons to be hired.<\/p>\r\n
If signed into law, the bill would allow people with felony convictions to apply for an occupational license from the gaming board, allowing them to work in casinos in nongaming positions.<\/p>\r\n
The bill passed the Illinois General Assembly on a mostly party-line vote, 78-27, and has the support of labor unions and the Illinois Gaming Board.<\/p>\r\n
State Sen. Robert Peters (D-Chicago) sponsored the legislation and expects Pritzker to sign the bill. The gaming board will review the types of convictions, the time since conviction, and the charges’ severity.<\/strong><\/p>\r\nUnder the proposed law, the Illinois Gaming Board will have the right to refuse a permit to \u201canyone deemed a threat to the state\u2019s public interests or gaming integrity.\u201d<\/p>\r\n
Bill’s Potential Impact<\/h2>\r\n At least 1.5 million men and women have been convicted of felony charges in Illinois, according to the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority. Eligibility restrictions, even after probation and prison sentences have been satisfied, often remain in place, some for a lifetime.<\/p>\r\n
Sen. Peters, the bill\u2019s sponsor, says allowing nongaming employment in the casinos decreases the likelihood of people winding up back in prison, essentially allowing someone a chance to turn their life around.<\/p>\r\n
\r\nMass incarceration and profoundly deep income inequality are tied together,\u201d<\/strong> Peters said. \u201cThere is an inherent contradiction in saying that you want to be tough on crime while you are leaving people out of economic opportunity.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\r\n<\/blockquote>\r\nWhile some may see the legislation as controversial, it passed the State Senate and House with little debate.<\/p>\r\n
Illinois Casino Jobs Market Growing<\/h2>\r\n As previously reported by Casino.org,<\/em> Illinois is one of the largest land-based casino markets in the US, outside of Nevada. With the Bally\u2019s casino project adding to the number of casinos statewide, the state has an even larger demand to fill casino positions.<\/p>\r\nThe $1.7 billion casino resort project will create some 3,000 permanent jobs, not to mention some 3,000 construction jobs. The facility at Freedom Center in River West is expected to open in 2026.<\/strong><\/p>\r\nBally\u2019s Chicago posted more than 700 positions for its temporary casino at Medinah Temple earlier this year, which is slated to open next month.<\/p>\r\n
It\u2019s not just Chicago. Jobs fairs and postings have been in place for Hard Rock Casino Rockford, Golden Nugget Danville, Waukegan, Walker\u2019s Bluff, and Wind Creek Casinos.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The Illinois gaming industry continues to expand. To help fill the hiring void, the state may soon allow ex-cons to apply for these jobs.\u00a0 Currently, people with felony convictions are barred from working in Illinois casinos. But Senate Bill 1462, which was passed in May, is awaiting Governor J.B. Pritzker\u2019s (D) signature and would allow […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":98,"featured_media":279633,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[62,33810,13],"tags":[],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
Illinois Casinos May Soon Allow Ex-Cons to Apply for Jobs - Casino.org<\/title>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\t \n\t \n\t \n \n \n \n \n \n\t \n\t \n\t \n