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Illinois Board Ready to Tackle Controversial Plan

ILLINOIS – As reported by the Chicago Sun-Times: "The Illinois Gaming Board is back in business and could be ready to consider a controversial plan to give Rosemont the state's last available casino license by mid-summer.

"The gambling regulation panel hasn't been able to take any votes since resignations seven months ago left it with just two members. The board is supposed to have five.

"…But of more importance to lawmakers intent on plugging the state's budget hole is the fate of the dormant gaming license and the extra gambling revenue another casino could produce. Emerald Casino Inc. agreed to sell the license in bankruptcy court after gambling regulators in 2001 leveled allegations of wrongdoing -- including alleged mob links -- against the firm.

"While the sale still needs a judge's approval and could be blocked by a pending Illinois Supreme Court case, a Gaming Board source said the staff's probe of the planned sale of Emerald's license to Isle of Capri Casinos is moving along.

"Isle wants to put the casino in Rosemont, where Emerald originally was supposed to dock it. Gaming Board staff members still have questions for some Isle executives and Rosemont officials, including Mayor Donald E. Stephens, about the project. But there's a possibility the staff investigation could be finished by July 1…"

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