Chicago - The three players in the high-stakes competition for Illinois' unused 10th casino license laid out key details of plans to build a new gambling destination in either Des Plaines, Rosemont or Waukegan. Executives from three gaming companies on Tuesday publicly presented their bids at an Illinois Gaming Board meeting, promising to deliver loads of much-needed tax revenue for the state, money-sharing arrangements that would benefit other communities and jobs to put people to work.
Illinois Gaming Board members dropped by Waukegan as part of a three-city tour Wednesday, where an investment and development team tried to demonstrate why it has the best site for a new casino. Waukegan Gaming LLC is competing with six other companies seeking the state's 10th casino license. Rosemont, Des Plaines, Calumet City and Stickney are among the towns where the companies want to place casinos.
Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich, acknowledging his past year’s attempt to get new casinos and racetrack slots past state House Speaker Michael J. Madigan was a failure, now wants to lease out the Illinois Lottery to help fund the governor’s latest capital improvement program. Blagojevich has downsized the planned budget for improving roads, schools and other infrastructure to USD 25 billion.
On Jan. 1, a smoking ban went into effect in the state of Illinois, banning smoking in virtually all public places including offices, theaters, museums, libraries, educational institutions, schools, commercial establishments, enclosed shopping centers and retail stores, restaurants, bars, private clubs and gaming facilities. As a result of the ban, Illinois riverboat casino revenues have dropped significantly compared to the same time last year.
Springfield - Gamblers, no matter how old, eventually may have to show their driver's licenses and have them scanned before entering Illinois casinos. The Illinois Gaming Board is considering the card-everyone idea as a way to catch those who voluntarily have agreed to be arrested if they board one of the state's riverboat casinos.
Harrah’s Entertainment announced this week that it received approval from the Illinois Gaming Board for the proposed acquisition of Harrah’s by affiliates of Apollo Management, L.P. and TPG Capital. The transaction remains subject to approval by other jurisdictions in which Harrah’s subsidiaries operate and other conditions to closing set forth in the agreement and plan of merger entered into on December 19, 2006.
In order to try and churn out more revenue to provide for a USD 13 billion construction program, the Illinois Senate approved three separate casinos to be built in the state. The expansion was passed with a 37-15 vote in the Senate and will be sent to the House for further deliberation. "Right now, this is about the best option we have to try and provide money for our many projects we have throughout the state," Sen. David Luechtefeld, R-Okawville, said.
Springfield, Illinois -- The Illinois Senate early Friday voted down a measure that would have allowed casino patrons to continue lighting up next year even as smokers in all other public places in the state are forced to snuff out their cigarettes. However, proponents of the idea could try again today.
