This story is prompted by the Chicago Tribune’s article “This Day in History” feature on Sunday, which featured a photo of Governor Dan Walker buying the first Lottery tickets the following August.
It was 1973 and the Lottery was part of the Regional Transportation Authority package.
It was supposed to raise the sixty-some million dollars that the Illinois General Fund was going to go toward subsidizing the RTA.
Although opposed to gambling, I voted for the bill.
Why?
In 1830, family lore says a forefather won the London Lottery.
5,000 pounds when a pound was real money.
My ancestors spent part of that jackpot to emigrate to America.
So, I figured I’d be something of a hypocrite if I didn’t vote for the bill.
When House Speaker Bob Blair held the Republican Conference to explain the RTA deal, I asked.
“Will you allow amendments?”
The answer was “Yes.”
My second question was “Will you accept any?”
“No,” Blair replied.
Only my seatmate Bill Mahar’s amendment to require reapportionment of the RTA Board after each Census passed.
I’ve only bought one Lottery ticker–not a winner, of course.
