Rockford leaders worried over Wisconsin casino

Leaders from the Illinois city are concerned over the potential money that could leave the state.

US.- The Bureau of Indian Affairs held a public hearing to get public feedback about the Ho-Chunk Nation’s proposal to build a hotel, water park and casino in Beloit, Wisconsin. While the project could bring thousands of new jobs, Rockford leaders are concerned about the potential loss for the city.

“We recognise that the city of Beloit alone, would not be able to fill all of those jobs nor would the Ho-Chunk Nation be able to fill all of those jobs themselves,” said Lori Curtis Luther, the city manager of Beloit.

Illinois business leaders are afraid that besides jobs leaving the state, entertainment dollars will go as well. They said that a casino in Beloit could have a devastating impact on attractions in the Stateline. “Last year, about US$1.5 billion in entertainment money left Illinois just to go to the borders of these states,” Senator Dave Syverson said.

There is currently a bill in Illinois that would bring a casino to Rockford, but while it passed the Senate, it never came up for a vote in the House of Representatives. Senator Steve Stadelman, chairman of the Gaming Committee, said that there is a chance the legislature will pass the bill because sports betting is involved in the conversation.

“Everybody wants a piece of sports betting,” Stadelman said. “Casinos would like it, the race tracks would like it, it’s another revenue source for the state. I think you get more people to the table, more willing to reach a compromise and negotiate an agreement that would allow for an expansion of gaming.”