Key IGB Meeting Passes With No Casino Progress; Lightfoot Criticizes Process

After another Illinois Gaming Board ( IGG ) meeting, applications for new casinos are not significantly closer to being accepted.

There are currently six brand-new game certificates available in the following areas: Rockford, Waukegan, Danville, Williamson County, southern cities, and Chicago.

Some organizations presented their uses in October 2019. However, as of April 2021, only one group has been identified as & ldquo, and it is not considered to have received final approval.

That was Rockford’s Hard Rock Casino.

The process has been moving at a sluggish pace, with the end of April reportedly being another proposed deadline. However, considering the absence of significant casino-related updates at the April 21 meeting, apart from a single software amendment, it appears doubtful that the IGB will meet this deadline.

That’s how we reached this point, here.

The second IGB game and date were in October 2020.

The law stipulates that the IGB has a set period to review applications upon receipt. However, the board reserves the right to convene a particular public meeting or inform applicants in writing if the decision has been deferred.

Many groups applied in October 2019, so the one-year anniversary was October 2020.

Marcus Fruchter, IGB Administrator, stated on Oct. 27 that the board gave a written explanation for the delay to the applicants.

At the board meeting the following day, Fruchter stated that candidates awaiting judgement should realistically expect a decision within six months.

During that time, Hard Rock Casino Rockford was initially considered suitable.

Except for a few application modifications, we have not received any information about other potential applicants. The applications for licenses in Waukegan, Williamson County, Danville, and the southern suburbs are still pending.

The IGB didn’t receive the Danville software until November 2020, but the other applications were received much earlier.

During the meeting, Fruchter discussed the amendment to the Walker & rsquo, Bluff Casino Resort application, but he did not specify a timeline for any of the applicants.

Illinois casino approach enrages lawmakers.

The extent to which the delay can be assigned to the IGB and the candidates remains unclear. Nevertheless, some politicians in Illinois have not hesitated to critique the IGB.

In March, State Sen. Dave Syverson, the representative of Illinois’ 35th District, voiced strong criticism upon hearing news of a casino being approved near Rockford in Beloit, Wisconsin.

I’m hoping that this will act as an alarm for the state. Previously, we may have faced significant difficulties in winning the competition.

“If Wisconsin manages to open such a casino before us, people will get accustomed to going there. This will make it more difficult to attract them back home.”

Regrettably, the Rockford game is the most advanced region globally. However, the IGB has not yet granted its final approval.

In August, State Rep. Anthony DeLuca and Kristi DeLaurentiis, the Executive Director of the South Suburban Mayors and Managers Association, penned a letter to the IGB expressing criticism over the delays.

Here’s an excerpt from ‘Here & rsquo:’

We kindly remind you that this South suburban license is pending and if it’s long overdue and delayed, a selection is rejected. Using COVID-19 as a justification for non-communication is unacceptable. The deadline for the statute is approaching and the fate of nearly a million people depends on your decision.

We remain uncertain about the status of the southern suburban casino project, which has already missed two deadlines.

Update on the Chicago game: Windy City is now accepting entrants

Despite its current irrelevance to the IGB, Chicago is the slowest-moving amongst all new game areas. Mayor Lori Lightfoot should also be included in the list of public officials who criticize the board’s pace.

According to the Chicago Sun-Times, Lightfoot stated:

“We need to act swiftly after presenting a proposal to IGB. Although I don’t want to rush judgment, I believe we need to expedite the process. This is because the game table requires a certain amount of time to complete its task.”

Today, the city of Chicago issued a Request For Proposals (RFP) for casino operators, with submissions due by Aug. 23. Mayor Lightfoot has extended invitations to all major players, including those from the Las Vegas gaming industry.

Chicago plans to select a winning play by the end of 2021. The winner will then submit its components to the IGB.

As Lightfoot pointed out, the approval process can be lengthy. While a Chicago casino is an entertaining concept, it’s still far from becoming a reality at this stage.