Chicago Daily Observer

Illinois’ horse-racing industry will get to keep a multimillion dollar subsidy from the state’s most profitable casinos for three more years under legislation now headed to Gov. Blagojevich.

The House and Senate approved a plan to skim 3 percent of revenues off the four richest casinos and divert that money to racing—a subsidy worth at least $30 million annually for the next three years.

The plan passed the Senate 37–13, with five voting present. The House approved it 88–16, with one present vote.

Sen. John Cullerton won the Senate presidency late Wednesday, while Senate Republicans broke a historic glass ceiling by tabbing Sen. Christine Radogno to be their Statehouse leader.

Backed by Mayor Daley, Cullerton (D-Chicago), 60, drew unanimous backing to succeed retiring Senate President Emil Jones (D-Chicago) after defeating two rivals for the post.

No matter what help Barack Obama might get from Sen. Joseph Biden, his newly named vice presidential running mate won’t give Obama much cover on the Tony Rezko front.

Biden has described himself as a 30-year friend of a key figure in the Rezko trial who’s pleaded guilty to a federal extortion charge in Chicago and is awaiting sentencing.