Hard Rock Casino Rockford officials recently made a presentation to convince the Illinois Gaming Board to grant the company a license for its proposed $310 million casino. The board is expected to announce its decision on February 4. If the license is approved, construction can begin at both the casino’s permanent location at the former Clock Tower Resort on East State Street, and at the temporary facility on North Bell School Road, which could open within 90 days.
Hard Rock Casino Rockford’s plans call for a 65,000-square-foot casino with 1,500 slots and 55 table games, a Hard Rock Café and a 1,600-seat Hard Rock Live venue. The project would create 1,200 construction jobs and up to 1,000 permanent jobs and generate more than $282 million in annual economic with more than $7 million in annual tax revenue for the city of Rockford, officials said.
The deal was arranged by 815 Entertainment, which brought together Hard Rock International with more than 50 investors, including several prominent local business and civic leaders. Chief investor Dan Fischer, owner of Dotty’s Gambling Cafe chain, said, “The idea of a Hard Rock facility and partnership with local Rock & Roll Hall of Fame star Rick Nielsen of the band Cheap Trick creates a powerful combination that will forever ingrain the power of music, entertainment and excitement in this project.”
Fischer stated with a brand like Hard Rock, operators of 240 venues in 69 countries, including 12 casinos, the new venue could attract visitors well beyond Illinois. He noted “more than 40 percent of equity capital is coming from women and minority persons that far exceed the statutory goals required.”
Hard Rock also has committed to build a music production studio at Washington Park Community Center, build an outdoor amphitheater at Levings Lake, provide enhanced performance opportunities and make possible improvements to the Sinnisssippi Music Shell. Hard Rock also will provide support for neighborhood youth programs.
Illinois Gaming Board Administrator Marcus Fruchter said even after the board may approve Hard Rock Rockford, several steps still would remain. These include an assessment of the casino gaming operations, a final practice gaming session, licensing by the board and any different or additional licensing procedures required by statute or board rules.
The Rockford city council voted in favor of the plan from Hard Rock International in October 2019, after considering proposals from Rock River West Casino Group and Forest City Casino. Mayor Tom McNamara noted Rockford’s proposal is the first among the six proposed casinos allowed in 2019 expanded gambling legislation. He said, “This has obviously been an incredibly long road for the city of Rockford. It has taken decades for us to get this casino, but I am very optimistic that our proposal will be approved so that we can really begin to turn this long-awaited vision into a reality.”
