Philip C. Parenti, a former federal prosecutor and private attorney, is scheduled to take over as the Gaming Board's administrator on Nov. 16.

"I'm too new on the job to know the details of the entire matter regarding Emerald, but I will tell you this: I'm willing to take a fresh look at the entire situation," Parenti said Tuesday during a press conference to announce his new job.

Under Parenti's predecessor, Sergio Acosta, the board had remained steadfast in its refusal to grant Emerald's request to move its license from a failed boat in East Dubuque to the Chicago suburb of Rosemont.

Acosta alleged that top Emerald officials had misled investigators and that some people associated with the casino had "insidious" ties to organized crime. Emerald has appealed the board's January decision denying its license renewal.

This summer, the board - including new members not involved in the original decision - condemned Emerald for negotiating with casino giant MGM Mirage to buy its license.

Parenti said there may be a middle ground between those who argue Emerald should not profit from wrongdoing and those who want to get the state's 10th casino operating as soon as possible. He said Illinois is losing hundreds of millions of dollars that could be going toward schools, law enforcement or other programs.

"It would be foolish to turn my back and close my eyes to whatever proposals are there," Parenti said, adding that he had not studied the case enough to make any decision.

Parenti noted that the board had allowed Horseshoe Gaming mogul Jack Binion to sell his Joliet riverboat even after finding him unfit to hold an Illinois license.

The Rev. Tom Grey, executive director of the National Coalition Against Legalized Gambling, called Parenti's comments "very disturbing."

"I don't need an administrator, a regulator making a deal for the taxpayers of Illinois," Grey said.

He said any taxes the state would get from a Rosemont casino would be only a tiny part of the $50 billion Illinois budget.

William Kunkle, an attorney for Emerald, said he hopes to meet with Parenti after the new administrator has had a chance to study the case.

"Obviously, we're always doing the best we can to reach a fair and equitable settlement," Kunkle said.

The Gaming Board administrator oversees a staff of about 100 in Chicago and Springfield and heads investigations into the riverboat gambling industry.

Parenti said he told Gov. George Ryan of his interest in the job after Acosta announced his departure. He said he did not speak with Ryan about the Rosemont casino or any other Gaming Board case.

Parenti joined the U.S. attorney's office immediately after he graduated from Chicago Kent College of Law in 1975.

He began working for the Illinois attorney general's office in 1981 and served as chief in both the Environmental Control Division and Public Utilities Division. Parenti established a private law practice in 1983.

"We are extremely fortunate to find an administrator with his qualifications and wealth of experience," said Gaming Board Chairman Gregory Jones, who worked with Parenti in the U.S. attorney's office.

The board is expected to formally endorse Parenti's appointment next week.