Developers and mayors vying for the chance to break ground on new casinos — including two in Chicago’s suburbs — will have to wait at least another six months to find out if they’re holding a winning hand.
Illinois Gaming Board administrator Marcus Fruchter blamed the COVID-19 pandemic for pushing back his agency’s timeline for handing out the first round of casino licenses as part of Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s massive statewide gambling expansion.
Four of the new casino proposals are competing for one license to set up shop in southern Cook County, with each developer’s bid backed by their respective suburban host: Calumet City (Southland Live Casino, related: Proposed casino’s Calumet City turkey giveaway is latest sign of region’s economic revival); Lynwood ( Ho-Chunk Gaming Southland), Matteson (South Suburban Development, LLC; see also A Pursuit for a Casino in Matteson video) and a site that straddles the border of Homewood and East Hazel Crest (Wind Creek Illinois)... Please click here to read Mitchell Armentrout’s story in the Sun-Times.
Related: South suburban casino decision at least 6 months away, in the Tribune/Daily Southtown; Illinois Gaming Board (“IGB”) press release on the October 29, 2020 Special Board meeting; SSMMA Board passes resolution for Illinois Gaming Board to select south suburban site without delay; and Local officials, casino developer remain confident despite ruling delay.
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