The Chicago Director of Planning and Economic Development received six proposals for a Waukegan, Illinois casino by the August 5 deadline. The proposals include one from Potawatomi Hotel & Casino, operators of a Milwaukee gaming resort and Warner Gaming, partnering with Tap Room Gaming owner and former state Senator Michael Bond.
Potawatomi Hotel & Casino is owned and operated by the Forest County Potawatomi Community in northern Wisconsin. Chief Executive Officer and General Manager Rodney Ferguson said, “Having successfully operated in this gaming market for several decades, Potawatomi Hotel & Casino is a natural fit to develop this project and create the entertainment destination that Waukegan is seeking.” He noted its Milwaukee casino is one of the largest entertainment destinations in the Midwest with 6 million annual visitors.
Ferguson said the Waukegan Potawatomi Casino would be located at the Fountain Square development in Waukegan; the city has been holding the 32-acre site it owns specifically for a possible casino. He said a Waukegan casino would likely impact Milwaukee casino revenue, but that would happen if the Potawatomi or another developer operates the casino. “Our job is to minimize the impact,” he said.
Bond, noted for record-setting spending during the Waukegan alderman races this spring, said he expects the city’s selection process to be “fair, open and transparent.” He said his group’s proposal has the “winning formula” since it emphasizes partnerships with local restaurants, local hiring and the “great team” it established.
Bond’s partner, Warner Gaming, is noted for its locally specific approach to developing its facilities, Chief Executive Officer Bill Warner said. He stated his company could set up a temporary casino within four months of receiving a gaming license from the state—but only if it’s the city’s sole selection. Then construction could begin on the permanent location as early as April 2020. However, Warner said, if the city chooses to send several choices to the state, the schedule could be pushed back up to a year and a half.
Next, Waukegan city staff will vet the casino-license applicants and come up with a short list around August 26. Interviews with the remaining candidates will take place after Labor Day and a public hearing will be held in September. The Waukegan city council will forward their chosen finalists to the Illinois Gaming Board by October 25.
