Dec 22, 2008 5:59 pm US/Central
Des Plaines Awarded Casino License
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
A huge vote came in Monday by the Illinois Gaming Board on the state's unused casino license. CBS 2's Jim Williams reports.
Des Plaines, a suburban community northwest of Chicago is home to 60,000 residents and now becomes home to the state's last available casino license, with Midwest Gaming & Entertainment's proposal for a casino.
Midwest Gaming, headed by Chicago real estate magnate Neil Bluhm, did not bid the most money for the license.
But three Illinois Gaming Board members —chairman Aaron Jaffe, Charles Gardner and James Sullivan — said it was the best of the three bidders largely because it was the least problematic of the proposals the Gaming Board reviewed.
Des Plaines' Mayor Anthony Arredia was confident all along his town would win Illinois' 10th casino license.
"We had a great developer, great location. By the way, we weren't going through any residential areas. They had to consider us as one of the strong candidates," Arredia said.
The other candidates were Waukegan, and Des Plaines' neighbor, Rosemont. In 2004, the Illinois Gaming Board awarded the casino license to Rosemont, but Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan said it appeared the suburb's government had ties to organized crime.
Though the charge was denied by town officials, the bidding process began again and Monday, the chairman of the Gaming Board said he could not vote for Rosemont because of the mob allegations.
Des Plaines could take in at least seven million dollars a year in gaming revenue – which could be money for new police and fire stations and provide flood relief.
As for gaming critics who say casinos attract criminals and increase gambling addiction, the mayor says he's not concerned after visiting casinos in Aurora and Joliet.
"I don't see what everyone tells me. I don't see people staggering out of casinos, falling on the floor, "Arredia said.
Arredia says Des Plaines will have a treatment center for gambling addiction. The town has also agreed to share gaming revenues with ten of the most depressed communities in Cook County.
A spokesman for Rosemont says that suburb is disappointed, but congratulates Des Plaines.
CBS 2's Jim Williams and STNG wire contributed to this report.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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