140 Even the financial benefit that Sander promised was sorely lacking in 2016, when the Fox Waterway Agency generated approximately 2.6 million dollars.29 The measly sum was leagues away from the amount necessary to tackle the 100,000 cubic yards of sediment that filtered into the river annually, as well as the six to ten million cubic yards of sediment that exist in the Grass Lake sub region alone.30 Data collected by environmental agencies highlights the severity of environmental issues along the Fox River, and the negative contributions made by riverboat casinos. Though riverboat casinos have been celebrated nigh religiously about the Fox River since 1990, the cruel practice must come to an end. No matter what advocates such as Sander may spout about potential environmental benefit, riverboat gambling has already proven incredibly costly, while also unleashing devastating pollutants to the Fox River. It is not within jurisdiction of the gambling citizen, nor that of the Illinois Gaming Board, to incite such pain and misery upon the Earth that births us all. To this end, the Illinois Gaming Board must consider a severe overhaul in legislation through amendments to the Gambling Act, including but not limited to lessened funds for riverboats, greater selectiveness (if not complete cession) of licenses for riverboats, and, if this were to be impossible, to at the very least consider dedicating a greater split of profits towards environmental attention. For twenty years, the splendor of slot machines and the glory of profits has blinded the Gaming Board to the light of Mother Nature, which day by day dwindles at the hands of their avarice. https://go.openathens.net/redirector/imsa.edu?url=https://www.proquest.com/newspapers/17-groups-join-forcesexamine-condition-fox-river/docview/419492020/se-2 29 Ibid. 30 Ibid.
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