Business & Tech
Homewood, East Hazel Crest Pre-Approved For South Suburban Casino
The approval isn't the final step in the process, but inches the proposed Wind Creek casino closer to fruition, officials said Wednesday.
HOMEWOOD, IL — The villages of Homewood and East Hazel Crest have gone all-in to win pre-approval from the Illinois Gaming Board Wednesday which puts the combined towns on the right track to be chosen as the location for a new casino in the south suburbs.
The two towns beat out Matteson for the approval, but gaming officials said it's not time to cash-in yet. Pre-approval doesn't award a license but does advance the towns' proposal closer to being selected. Once the Illinois Gaming Board officials grants a permit, construction can begin, according to the IGB website.
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Homewood and East Hazel Crest presented a location for the Wind Creek Casino, an Alabama-based gaming and hospitality chain with locations in Florida, Nevada and the Caribbean. The company is partially owned by the Poarch Band of Creek Indians.
"Throughout this process, we have reiterated the belief that we offer the best location in and for the south suburban region," said Wind Creek Hospitality president and CEO Jay Dorris in a statement. "And will deliver on our commitments to job creation, community and economic investment, sustained operational excellence, and a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion in all phases of construction and operation."
Find out what's happening in Homewood-Flossmoorfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The proposed development would cost an estimated $440 million. Building at the site off Interstate 80 and Halstead Street would be completed by 2023 and is planned to include a casino, hotel, restaurants, bars and entertainment center. A digital rendering from Wind Creek Hospitality showed a 21-story hotel with skyline views of Chicago.
Village of Homewood Mayor Rich Hofeld has supported the proposal, calling the mix of location and novelty a "revenue generator" at a village board meeting.
Developers can now move forward with laying the groundwork for the new casino, which could provide over 800 permanent jobs to residents.
As of Wednesday, the Illinois Gaming Board did not have an estimated date for final decisions.
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