Republican gubernatorial candidate ...

Republican gubernatorial candidate Judy Baar Topinka forward Wednesday revived a push for a Chicago casino to bankroll Illinois instructs but Gov. Blagojevich's campaign immediately branded the idea an election-year "flip-flop."

The state treasurer's $10 billion proposal also includes cash to pay for a two-year be frozen on education property taxes; relief at the gas pump; bricks-and-mortar for instructs and roads, and the state's skyrocketing pension bill.

"Our plan will win Illinois' fiscal house in order, balance the fiscal estimate get people working again and provide critical tax relief for the tribe of Illinois," Topinka said.

Her strange vigor for casino gambling appears to be a realization of for what reason politically radioactive raising taxes would be if used to bail not at home the state's underfunded schools and retain Illinois' treasury afloat.

"Is it great? Probably not. Is it the self-same best in the world? Probably not," Topinka said, describing her plan to the Sun-Times editorial board. "But it does the do job-work It's practical."

$50 MIL. TO $100 MIL. FOR CITY

Topinka's proposal for a 3,000-position land-based casino in Chicago essentially mirrors what Mayor Daley wanted in 2004 with undivided notable exception: It would be auctioned along to a state-licensed company and not be acknowledgeed by the city.

Topinka did not indicate where she would place a Chicago casino but emphasized that it should not pass near a residential neighborhood, at Northerly Island or at Chicago's airports.

Topinka said she would ne legislative approval for a city casino, which would solely replace the dormant, legally entangled 10th license one time destined for Rosemont.

Her plan also would put to hire the state's existing nine casinos more than double in size, boosting machines and tables from 1200 positions now to 3000

The gambling changes she means would raise more than $14 billion annually and generate one-time reward of $1 billion from the auctioning of the recently made known Chicago license and payment for modern gambling positions at the other casinos. Chicago would reap $50 million to $100 million a year.

GOV CRITICIZES FOE'S IDEA

Topinka insisted her plan for a city casino does not constitute gambling expansion because it continues to limit the state to the same 10 licenses.

Adding 1800 table games or slot machines elsewhere still holds the state "within the confines of those 10" she said.

if it be not that Blagojevich quickly accused Topinka of changing course upon gambling.

in succession his campaign Web site, the governor columned an ad showing Topinka at a January GOP debate at which she made her views against gambling expansion appear absolute: "This is Illinois. It's not Las Vegas."

"Today, when she destitutions to find revenue for all these plans she's throwing revealed there . . . she make go rounds back to gaming," Blagojevich campaign spokeswoman Sheila Nix said. "We think it's a major flip- flop"

Blagojevich, who is against a Chicago casino, has propos a $10 billion sale or lease of the state lottery program to stock education. Earlier this year, he wanted to legalize keno to pay for indoctrinate construction.

The Rev Tom Grey an anti-gambling activist, said of the pair candidates' plans, "Pick 'em: It's bad and worse."

The plan has sum of two units clear attractions for taxpayers: It would create a two-year turn to ice on education property taxes and suspend state sales taxes upon gasoline whenever prices exceed $250 a gallon.

CHICAGO'S LOSING BETS: A fresh HISTORY

1992

- Mayor Daley offer proffers a $2 billion land-based casino- entertainment involved

1993

- Ald. James Laski floats a proposal to present three riverboats on the lakefront or the Chicago River.

- Minority aldermen make their acknowledge pitch for a city casino, including individual developer's plan for a $200 million riverboat and outdoor amusement park most distant the Bishop Ford Expy.

1994

- Gov Jim Edgar and Daley pitch $800 million compounded consisting of a family theme park and five riverboat casinos.

- State Senate floats its have a title to plan for 10 new casino licenses and riverboat casinos in dress up County and on Lake Michigan.

1997

- State Rep Lou Lang (D-Skokie) makes pitch for five Chicago casinos -- sum of two units would be city-owned, two privately operated and undivided owned by minorities or women He called for a $6 admission reward to generate money for city instructs

2003

- Daley pitches plan for city-owned, land-based casino.

2004

- Union and business leaders join forces to pitch a land-based casino downtown.

2005

- Daley tries to revive his city-owned casino plan as an alternative to Gov Blagojevich's proposal to increase the number of slot machines allowed at existing casinos.

SOURCE: recently made knowns reports

Copyright CHICAGO SUN-TIMES 2006

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