By AP/KWMU
Springfield, Ill. – Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich nominated a whole new board Thursday to oversee gambling in the state.
The five-member Gaming Board hasn't been able to conduct business since August because three vacancies left it short of a quorum.
Thursday's five people appointed yesterday include SIU law professor Shelia Simon.
She's the daughter of the late U.S. Senator Paul Simon, and adds she's never been to a riverboat casino and isn't a fan of gambling. Simon is also a Carbondale City Council member.
Blagojevich has also proposed stricter rules for members of the Illinois Gaming Board and its staff.
The other appointees are: Retired Cook County Judge Aaron Jaffe, who would become chairman, Rev. Eugene Winkler of Chicago; Charles Gardner, who manages a real estate investment company; and Joe Moore, Jr., who runs a public relations firm in Chicago.
Three of the appointments take effect Monday, so the board can begin work. The other two take effect in July.
The governor has also proposed rules, including prohibiting board members, board staff, and state Revenue Department employees from having finanical interest in a casino. Currently, only board members and their families are banned from having any stake.
Blagojevich also wants to ban Gaming Board members and employees from gambling at riverboats and racetracks.