Bids roll in for casino license

Towns to be announced today

Tuesday, January 20, 2004
By Kristen McQueary
Staff writer

Phone calls flew Monday between casino operators and communities hoping to lure the state's last gaming license as the first formal deadline ticked toward 5 p.m.

"There have been numerous conversations today to finalize everything, and we fully expect to be part of the list tomorrow," said Dave Niemeyer, city manager for Des Plaines, which is working with Chicago real estate developer Neil Bluhm and Wynn Resorts to win the license.

Proposals for casinos in Illinois were required to be at Rothschild Inc., an investment banking firm in New York City, by the end of the day Monday. Rothschild will share the names of the applicants with the Illinois Gaming Board, which has scheduled a news conference this morning to announce them. Only the casino companies and towns are expected to be revealed.

"Our bid is in," said Kevin Lampe, a spokesman for the Country Club Hills plan spearheaded by former Empress Casinos president Joseph Canfora.

Des Plaines, Country Club Hills, Waukegan and Rosemont confirmed they will be on the list. Officials with Summit, which has been working with Hyatt, did not confirm Monday if they met the deadline, but Mayor Joseph Strzelczyk was confident last week their proposal would be included.

At least two companies ‹ Isle of Capri and Caesar's Entertainment ‹ are expected to place bids for casinos in Rosemont. The amount of money investors for each project are willing to pay for the license won't be revealed until Jan. 29. An auction where bids can be increased will take place March 10.

Waukegan, located near the Wisconsin border, boasted about its plan Monday morning.

"We expect to draw 30 percent of our business from Wisconsin," said Chris Adams, spokesman for the project. "The closest casino is 45 minutes away in Elgin."

Meanwhile, the South Suburban Coalition Against Gambling Expansion scheduled an informational meeting for 7 tonight at Grace Missionary Baptist Church, 16650 S. Crawford, Markham.