As a resident of Waukegan, I want to congratulate the leaders and the citizens of Rosemont. You are getting much more than a casino. You are also proud owners of the myth that casinos are good for the economy.
It’s a myth because you need a product if you want real economic growth. You have to make something: outboard motors, steel I-beams, whatever. The stuff coming out the doors has to be worth substantially more than the stuff going in. Otherwise, all you have is a money-changing scheme that siphons wealth from other sectors of your economy.
So rejoice, Rosemont. You will soon have an economic albatross around your neck that will drain your town’s retail community. You will trade high-paying industrial jobs for low-paying casino jobs. You have leaders who will forever be pandering to this albatross, chasing the mirage of raising revenues without raising taxes, instead of attracting real businesses that provide real jobs and real economic growth.
I’m glad this thing will be in your town and not mine.
