Waukegan Slot Machine Maker to be Sold for $1.5 Billion

Game maker WMS Industries, which has about 1,100 Illinois employees, has been sold to the Scientific Games Corp.

Can you say jackpot? Waukegan-based WMS Industries, Inc., a leading supplier of casino slot machines with themes based on The Price is Right, The Lord of the Rings and the rock band KISS, has been sold to Scientific Games Corp., an instant-win lottery ticket company, for about $1.5 billion, reports Crain's Chicago Business. The sale, which is not expected to affect WMS's 1,100 Illinois employees, represents a 59 percent premium to Scientific Games' closing price of $16.37 on Wednesday, reports Crain. In 2010, the Chicago Tribune ranked WMS No. 1 on its Top 5 list of large companies to work for. Macy's came in second. "The acquisition of WMS is transformational for Scientific Games, enabling us to offer a complete portfolio of lottery and …

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Braiman is 'a Beacon of Public Trust'

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For the past 10 years, I have had the honor and privilege to work closely with Jeff Braiman. Given my up close and personal experiences with Jeff, I can unequivocally say that he will be an outstanding Judge for Lake County.  If there were two words to describe Jeff and to demonstrate why he would be an exceptional Judge, those words would be Independence and Integrity. During Board deliberations, Jeff always listens to the facts at hand and never comes to the table with a preconceived opinion. This is a critical trait for someone who will be entrusted with the responsibilities of justice and ensuring that each and everyone of us is treated fairly and equitably. I know Jeff has talked throughout his campaign about his refusal to accept …

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Shanes is the 'Clear Choice' for Judge

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Judge Daniel B. Shanes is the clear choice for Lake County Circuit Judge to be elected on November 6. Since his judicial appointment in 2007, Judge Daniel Shanes quickly rose through the judicial ranks and now presides over a felony courtroom, where he hears and administers justice in the most complex and serious criminal cases in Lake County. Judge Shanes is a recognized legal scholar, having published dozens of articles in legal journals and been selected (as the only judge in Lake County) to serve on the Illinois Supreme Court’s Committee on Education where he literally teaches other judges the law and how to conduct themselves in a courtroom.  Judge Shanes’ excellence and integrity have been recognized by his peers and those who know …

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