The Illinois Gaming Board (IGB) is seeking a new chairman to replace Charles Schmadeke, whose terms ends on July 1.

Schmadeke has served as chairman since July 2019, and presided over his final IGB board meeting last week.

“On behalf of myself, the Board and IGB staff, I acknowledge and thank Chairman Schmadeke for his nearly six years of dedicated and ethical service as Gaming Board Chair and his continued commitment, contributions and dedication to our State,” said Illinois Gaming Board Administrator Marcus Fruchter. “His tenure overlapped with considerable changes to the Illinois gaming industry and the IGB itself – including gaming expansion, agency modernization and the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and its aftermath. 

“Through it all, Chairman Schmadeke remained steadfast in his support for IGB staff and unwavering in his commitment to gaming integrity, ethics and the rule of law. The IGB and the people of Illinois are better off because of his public service.”

Commenting on his departure, Schmadeke said: “After two terms, it is time for me to call it a day so in essence this is my valedictory for the Gaming Board. The duty of the Gaming Board is to protect the integrity of gaming in Illinois and for that it has been my goal in particular but our goal in general is that gaming should benefit all of Illinois and we have always consciously attempted to assure that all Illinoisans participate in the benefits of gaming.”

Schmadeke is a partner-in-charge of Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP’s Springfield office, and has more than 25 years of litigation, mediation and administrative law experience. He has served for more than 40 years in state government at agencies including the Illinois State Comptroller and Office of the Attorney General.

At its meeting last week, the IGB adopted a proposed amendment to video gaming Rule 1800.550 to allow the regulator to grant sales agent and broker licenses to licensed video gaming technicians and terminal handlers to become licensed sales agents. It would also allow licensed sales agents to receive terminal handler or technician licenses.

“This proposal provides a simplified and streamlined process which will maximize efficient use of IGB resources without sacrificing gaming integrity,” said Administrator Fruchter.

The IGB’s adopted rule now goes to the General Assembly’s Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (JCAR) for public comment and approval.