Government officials and Wind Creek Hospitality remain confident in their casino application despite the Illinois Gaming Board delaying a licensing decision at its meeting last week.
“We and Wind Creek still believe we are in a good position to get the license because we have the best location by far. There is nothing more I can tell you,” Homewood Village Manager Jim Marino said in an email to the Chronicle. “We can only wait for the gaming board to make their decision.”
The IGB was originally slated to make a decision by Oct. 29 but notified applicants of a delay on Oct. 27, IGB Administrator Marcus Fruchter said at the meeting.
“Like all government agencies and private businesses, the board’s work has been impacted by COVID-19. This is not an excuse or a crutch. It is simply a recognition of the reality that work and life are different in a global pandemic,” Fruchter said. “While COVID-19 has presented many challenges and obstacles for the gaming board and its staff and applicants alike, our work has nonetheless continued on the new casino applications.”
The number of casino licenses was increased from 10 to 16 in May 2019 by the state legislature. One addition was designated for the South Suburbs and five to other parts of the state.
Wind Creek is one of four applicants for a South Suburban license. It would be a 64,000-square-foot casino that would straddle the border between Homewood and East Hazel Crest. Both towns approved the proposal last fall.
The other three applicants would build gaming facilities in Lynwood, Calumet City or Matteson.
“(Wind Creek) looks forward to presenting to the IGB when called to do so as part of this process, sharing why Wind Creek is the best applicant for the South Suburban region – the best operator, in the best location, poised to create the most revenue for the state, and the most opportunities for economic development for local residents and businesses,” spokesperson Katelyn Yoshimoto said.
Fruchter said the virus made things like in-person interviews, site visits and fingerprint analysis difficult or impossible. IGB also needs to engage an investment banker for the south suburban application because it’s subject to an open bidding process, he said.
“We are all still very confident that our site will be selected as our site will generate the most revenue for the state, and the 43 towns sharing the local revenue. It is unfortunate that this process is taking so long but we understand that the state wants to do a thorough review,” East Hazel Crest Mayor Thomas Brown said in a statement provided to the Chronicle. “Hopefully a decision will be made within six to 12 months. The longer it takes the less revenue will be generated for the state and Indiana will benefit the most.”