Last week, representatives from the Poarch Band of Creek Indians and Wind Creek Hospitality marked the start of construction and celebrated local leaders who provided support to the project throughout the application process.
The casino, slated to open in 2023, will be built directly just north of the intersection of Halsted and 175th streets, with portions of the project in East Hazel Crest and Homewood.
“Wind Creek doesn’t just build casinos, we truly build communities,” said Stephanie Bryan, tribal chair and CEO of the Poarch Creek Indians.
“We’re so very thankful for the support of community leaders, local organizations and residents of the South Suburbs who helped get us to this point – and look forward to working with you to ensure that the benefits associated with this project are experienced by the entire region.”
Those passing by the site should begin seeing a flurry of construction activity in the coming days and weeks.
Wind Creek Chicago Southland, a 70,000-square-foot casino, will feature 1,350 slot machines, 56 table games, entertainment, dining, a 252-room luxury hotel, and will bring approximately 800 good paying jobs to the region.
In addition, the project will create approximately 600 construction jobs. Revenues will be shared with the state of Illinois and surrounding south suburban townships.
“Our commitment to this community has already begun and will only be strengthened as we move our focus to job creation and finalizing the details of the Southland Public Benefit Fund,” said Jay Dorris, president and CEO, Wind Creek Hospitality.
“People across the Southland have been waiting for this casino and the community investment that comes along with it, and we’re happy to be taking concrete steps to see this dream realized.”
Wind Creek, East Hazel Crest and Homewood will contribute to the Southland Public Benefit Fund. The Fund will distribute $150,000 per year for the first five years of operation to provide scholarships for disadvantaged students and health services for the south suburban region through partnerships with South Suburban College, Prairie State College, Moraine Valley Community College, the Ingalls Development Foundation and Advocate South Suburban Hospital.
Once the Fund corpus reaches $20 million, the Fund will distribute $1,000,000 annually.