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Illinois' Bids Heavy with Clout

ILLINOIS – As reported by the Chicago Tribune: "The list of investors in at least two companies vying for the state's final casino license serve as a who's who of clout, including a business partner of a controversial Bridgeport trucking company owner who is a boyhood friend of Mayor Richard Daley.

"Peter Ferro Jr., a former owner of the Empress Casino in Joliet and a partner of Daley friend Michael Tadin, is listed as an investor in a casino proposed for Country Club Hills, according to information disclosed under the state's Riverboat Gambling Act.

"Another investor in that proposal is Charles P. Hammersmith Jr., a member of a prominent DuPage County family and one-time shareholder in the Empress Casino.

"...With bids ranging from $20 million to $506 million and including various complicated offers, Gaming Board members said they plan to closely review the proposals.

"Penn National Gaming Inc., a Pennsylvania company that owns Aurora's Hollywood Casino, submitted the top bid. In recent days, the company has said it would pay $761 million to buy the license and build a casino and hotel in Rosemont.

"…The lowest bid came in at $20 million in cash from an alliance between Mandalay Resort Group and Hyatt Development Corp., which already runs the state's most prosperous casino, Grand Victoria in Elgin, and hopes to build in Summit.

"…Caesars Entertainment, a second company vying to build in Rosemont, offered $205 million. A third company seeking to build in Rosemont, Isle of Capri Casinos, bid $351 million.

"In Waukegan, Harrah's Entertainment is working with S-L Partners, which includes developers Richard Stein and Alan Ludwig. The partnership, in which Cellini is investor, offered $375 million.

"Wynn Resorts Limited and Midwest Gaming & Entertainment LLC would like to build in Des Plaines and came in with a bid of $360 million. The partnership includes gambling tycoon Steve Wynn and developer Neil Bluhm.

"Merit Management Group LLC, the partnership that includes Ferro and Hammersmith as investors and plans to build in Country Club Hills, bid $250 million…"

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