Now that Illinois’ new gambling law will allow a casino in the city of Rockford, officials there are working to open a casino before the Ho-Chunk Nation opens one in Beloit, Wisconsin, 18 miles north.
Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker has said he’ll do what he can to help Rockford “beat Beloit.” But Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara countered, “My focus is not on Beloit. It’s on, number one, getting a casino, and number two, getting the absolute best deal possible for the citizens of Rockford. And we will do both of those.”
Officials estimated a casino could generate $4 million to $8 million in annual revenues for Rockford, along with hundreds of construction jobs and 1,000 permanent jobs.
Proposals are due to the city by August 16. McNamara said he hopes he receives several. One coalition, the Rock River West Casino Group, partnering with Wisconsin-based Gorman & Company, has proposed a downtown casino, aquarium and entertainment district adjacent to the anticipated train station on the South Main corridor. A spokesperson said, “With a downtown entertainment district, you aren’t just generating revenue from a casino. You are getting revenue from all the other things that can accompany it, along with supporting existing downtown businesses.”
However, state Senator Dave Syverson, representing Rockford, said the casino should be located along I-39/90. He said downtown “is not a good location. It would generate less revenue than compared to a casino built along the interstate.”
Hard Rock International has proposed a Hard Rock Cafe and casino at the former Clock Tower resort site along I-39/90.
Meanwhile, Ho-Chunk Public Relations Officer Ryan Greendeer said the tribe is keeping an eye on developments in Rockford. “Our business people are really good at what they do, and they are looking at what the impact of a Rockford casino might be. There are going to be different markets, so I don’t think it’s going to be super-impactful.”
Ho-Chunk submitted a land-trust application to the Bureau of Indian Affairs five years ago, allowing it to build a $405 million casino resort, including an indoor water park, 300-room hotel, convention center and retail. If the BIA approves the development, Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers would have to sign off on it. The earliest it could open would be 2021.
