In Illinois, House Bill 5146 would approve a gaming license for Walker’s Bluff Restaurant and Winery in Carterville, Illinois. The House Executive Committee was considering the measure last week. Senate Bill 7, which also would allow expanded gambling in Williamson County and other locations, currently is on hold in the Senate Rules Committee.
Walker’s Bluff owner Cynde Bunch said, “We are asking for help again from our supporters in Southern Illinois. The calls, letters and emails really do make a difference, and hopefully your leaders are still listening and want to get things accomplished this year in terms of jobs and growth for Southern Illinois.”
Bunch has proposed investing $178 million into Walker’s Bluff to include a casino, two hotels, a multi-purpose convention, conference and entertainment center, four new restaurants, a spa and an indoor water park.
An economic impact analysis commissioned by Walker’s Bluff indicated the project would create about 1,100 construction jobs over a four-year period and 725 permanent jobs. Bunch noted, “I understand the state is a financial mess. If there is anything that is needed in Southern Illinois, it is jobs.”
Last November, supporters of the project lobbied legislators in Springfield. In September 2016, the Southern Illinois Mayors’ Association expressed its support for the expansion.
