Illinois governor appoints new gaming board chair
Attorney Charles Schmadeke and his five-person board will be tasked with enforcing the new betting legislation
Illinois governor JB Pritzker has appointed attorney and partner at Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP Charles Schmadeke as the state’s new Gaming Board chair.
Schmadeke replaces former chairman Don Tracy whose term ended on July 1.
He joins an entirely new five-person board which will be tasked with enforcing the new betting legislation in the state, a month after Pritzker signed the bill into law.
His duties will also include approving Chicago’s first casino, and five other new venues across the state.
Also on the board is former senior counsel for litigation and investigations for Boeing, Anthony Garcia, Northbrook accountant Steve Dolins, Chicago Police sergeant Ruben Ramirez and CNA Insurance corporate attorney Dionne Hayden.
The State’s betting bill has been criticized for its three-license limit for online-only operators and the ‘penalty box’ clause which will prohibit online firms from operating in the state for 18-months.
The bill does allow for in-stadium betting at major sports venues like Wrigley Field.
The board will meet for the first time this week.