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Ho-Chunk Nation Takes Alternate Route to Casino

ILLINOIS – As reported by the Daily Southtown: "The Ho-Chunk Nation, which has proposed operating a casino in Lynwood, is expected to ask federal authorities by late next month to designate property in the town as reservation territory.

"If the U.S. Department of the Interior approves the Ho-Chunk plan, it would be a major step toward the casino.

"An application with the department's Bureau of Indian Affairs seeking to have the land put in a trust could be filed within six to eight weeks, said William Boulware Jr., legislative counsel to the Ho-Chunk.

"…U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. (D-2nd) plans to introduce legislation this spring that would designate the Lynwood property as tribal land, Rick Bryant, a spokesman for Jackson, said Monday. Other Illinois congressmen, including U.S. House Speaker Dennis Hastert, have suggested Jackson would face an uphill battle winning approval for such a bill.

"Ho-Chunk officials are hoping Congress will warm to the casino proposal because it could mean quicker approval for the project than going through traditional channels…"

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