Casino Rock Island to make its case for relocation
Casino Rock Island officials will present their plan for a casino and hotel complex in southwest Rock Island to the Illinois Gaming Board Wednesday.
The presentation won't be much different from a presentation given seeking permission for initial site work, Casino Rock Island spokesman Bill Renk said.
The presentation will include an explanation of reclamation work that has been done as site preparation.
The Casino Rock Island wants to move from its downtown Rock Island location to a site near Interstate 280 and Illinois 92 to build a hotel and casino complex. The $90 million project is expected to create about 400 construction jobs.
The main focus of the presentation is to bring three new members of the gaming committee up to speed on the Casino's proposal, Mr. Renk said.
"It is probably easiest to describe the presentation as representing what we presented before," Mr. Renk said. "It is really for the edification of the new board members."
Rock Island city manager John Phillips also will attend Wednesday's gaming board meeting.
"This is a new board, so they need to know this is important to the city, not just the gaming operation," he said.
The casino is still waiting for Gov. Rod Blagojevich to sign a bill passed by the General Assembly that gives the gaming board the power to approve a move like the one proposed by the Casino Rock Island. The governor has said he will sign the bill.
The casino learned Friday that it would be included on Wednesday's agenda. The gaming board is also scheduled to meet June 16 and June 29.
The Casino Rock Island had been in limbo since last year when a trio of gaming board members resigned, leaving the board without a quorum. Three new members were appointed in March.
Plans were further stymied by an informal opinion from the Illinois Attorney General's Office released in April stating the gaming board didn't have the ability to grant permission for the casino to move.
State Rep. Pat Verschoore, D-Milan, and state Sen. Mike Jacobs, D-East Moline, moved quickly to pass a bill through the General Assembly, written with the assistance of the Attorney General's office, clearing up language that would give the gaming board the power to rule on the proposed move.
