SPRINGFIELD — In an effort to kick-start discussions on sports betting, state Rep. Mike Zalewski has filed four different proposals to bring sports betting to Illinois.

The Riverside Democrat said the proposals will be discussed at a hearing of the House Revenue Committee next week.

“What we have learned the last few months is there is great interest and agreement in the gaming industry to bring sports betting and its economic benefits to Illinois and little agreement yet on now to best do it,” Zalewski said in a statement.

Zalewski said the proposals that will be discussed were modeled on sports betting in effect in other states like New Jersey, Delaware and Pennsylvania. He said each proposal will “generate hundreds of millions of dollars in tax revenue and other economic benefits with varying rates and fees.”

The activity would be overseen by the Illinois Gaming Board and the proposals will allow betting by phone and online. They would also provide security systems to alert authorities to potentially suspicious or fraudulent behavior.

Finally, Zalewski said the licensing process should be thorough but quick enough to ensure the state can quickly get sports betting running. He said he wants a bill ready for lawmakers to vote on by the end of May.

Gov. JB Pritzker is in favor of sports betting and outlined his own proposal in his budget speech in February. However, there has been little public discussion of the sport betting idea since.

Doug Finke: doug.finke@sj-r.com, 217-788-1527, @dougfinkesjr