Suburbs Lose Their Casino Bet

Sun-Times Reporting

SPRINGFIELD-- The south suburbs got dealt out as a host for the state's 10th casino Friday when the Illinois Gaming Board narrowed the list of finalists for the dormant license to Waukegan, Rosemont and Des Plaines.

But Attorney General Lisa Madigan raised questions about the board's decision to give Rosemont another crack at landing a casino cash cow after a casino bid there earlier this decade collapsed amid allegations of mob involvement.

The move puts the state one step closer to an expected end-of-the-year decision on where to place a casino that has been in limbo for nearly a decade and open a cash spigot for a dollar-depleted state government.

The five-member Gaming Board voted unanimously for developers that have pitched Waukegan and Rosemont as host cities. Des Plaines, however, was a narrow 3-2 choice, edging out a proposal from south suburban Calumet City that drew two votes.

Other plans for Harvey, Country Club Hills and Stickney got no votes.

"This is an outrage for the South Side,'' said Calumet City attorney Burton Odelson, whose community worked in tandem with a developer that had promised $150 million to the state.

The most lucrative bid came from Trilliant Gaming Illinois LLC, which offered $435 million for a license to open a casino in Rosemont.

After Friday's vote, Madigan's office cast doubt on the board's Rosemont pick and urged state gambling regulators to scrutinize it closely.

Investors in the Waukegan proposal include Sportsman's Park Race Track owner Charles Bidwell III, and developers Richard Stein and Allen Ludwig, who have offered the state $225 million. Developer Neil Bluhm, who wants to build a casino in Des Plaines, pledged $100 million for a license.

On Nov. 25, developers representing the three sites will make hour-long pitches to the Gaming Board. At that point, they'll have an opportunity to sweeten their offers to the state, Gaming Board lawyer Michael Fries said.

State gambling regulators plan to have a hearing in December at which the public can offer input on the three offers.

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