137 environmental benefit were unfounded, with there being no legislative clause mandating such actions, there was good reason to attempt to environmentally aid the Fox River. After all, for decades before the emergence of riverboat casinos, the Fox River had been chalked full of phosphorous and other toxic chemicals to such an extreme extent that eco-terrorists rose to tackle environmental harmful organizations.14 One such “eco-terrorist” (although whether their acts were violent enough to constitute being considered a “terrorist” is a separate matter entirely), under the persona Jim “The Fox” Phillips, became a local legend by dumping refuse into companies’ sewer pipe outlets.15 In 1994, Illinois business executive John Sander asserted that riverboat casinos would bring an end to the necessity of such violent measures. At the time, the Waterway Management Agency of Illinois did not earn nearly enough income to tackle serious issues of water pollution along the Fox River.16 Sander reasoned that by granting funds towards riverboat projects, up to five million dollars from riverboat profits could be donated to environmental foundations, contributing to efforts in dredging, wetlands restoration, and bank erosion.17 But while Sander’s promises may have seemed tempting, they are anything if rational. In the Chicago Tribune, Sander wrote: Whatever one’s conviction on legalizing riverboat gambling, it is a foregone conclusion that it is not only a reality in Illinois but will continue to spread throughout our state. The challenge now is no longer whether to permit riverboat gambling; it is to find a way for our society to improve as a result.18 That Sander accepts riverboat gambling as an inevitable truth means he is merely trying ‘find a way’ to make the best of the situation and does not truly believe riverboats would directly aid the 14 Young, D. (1999, Apr 18). STILL SOME FIGHT LEFT IN THE FOX 1ST ECOTERRORIST NOW QUIETLY WATCHES RIVER: [CHICAGOLAND FINAL EDITION]. Chicago Tribune Retrieved from https://go.openathens.net/redirector/imsa.edu?url=https://www.proquest.com/newspapers/still-some-fight-left-fox1st-ecoterrorist-now/docview/418931601/se-2 15 Ibid. 16 Sandner, J. (1994, Apr 09). Fox riverboat would aid environment. Chicago Tribune (1963-1996) Retrieved from https://go.openathens.net/redirector/imsa.edu?url=https://www.proquest.com/historical-newspapers/fox-riverboatwould-aid-environment/docview/1977160224/se-2 17 Ibid. 18 Ibid.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy Mjg3OTMy