Jury awards damages to Illinois riverboat casinos

Posted on December 9, 2014

Illinois casinos sued to recover millions of dollars following a tax imposed by Illinois lawmakers during Rod Blagojevich's time as governor. (Photo by spablab/flickr)

By The Associated Press

CHICAGO – A jury has found a racetrack owner liable in a civil racketeering case that involved actions during Rod Blagojevich's time as Illinois governor.  

The jury in federal district court in Chicago on Monday awarded $26.3 million in damages to four Illinois riverboat casinos. The damages are tripled because the case fell under the civil racketeering statute, making the recovery more than $78 million.  

The trial involved a pay-to-play deal allegedly involving the now-imprisoned Blagojevich and John Johnston, a member of the Illinois racetrack industry.  

Illinois casinos sued to recover millions of dollars from several tracks. The casinos paid millions in an effective tax imposed by the Blagojevich-era Legislature. The money was 3 percent of the casinos' adjusted gross revenue and it went to the financially struggling but politically well-connected tracks.  
 

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