By AP/KWMU
Alton, Ill. – Alton's mayor said low revenue from a riverboat casino is responsible for some city staffing cuts.
Don Sandidge said at least six jobs are being cut from next year's budget partly because of a $1 million loss in revenue at the Argosy Casino.
The fire department will lay off four firefighters, and the police department will not fill two open positions.
The city comptroller's office said Alton expects to get just $5.2 million in tax revenue from the Argosy. That's down from $6.2 million it received during the past fiscal year.
Sandidge blamed at least part of the problem on the state's smoking ban, which took effect in January.