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Illinois Judge Orders Casino License Renewed

ILLINOIS – As reported by the Chicago Tribune: "Tossing a potential monkey wrench into the state's plans to permanently strip Emerald Casino of its riverboat gambling license, a Cook County judge Thursday ordered the Illinois Gaming Board to renew the casino's license and allow it to locate in northwest suburban Rosemont.

"The decision by Circuit Judge Sophia Hall is a shot in the arm for Rosemont's efforts to get a casino and raises questions about ongoing hearings in which the Gaming Board is trying to prove that Emerald Casino Inc. was unfit to open a casino. In 2001 the Gaming Board blocked Emerald's move to Rosemont, arguing that its principals lied to regulators and some investors had ties to organized crime.

"Attorneys for Emerald said Hall's ruling should halt the hearings, but Atty. Gen. Lisa Madigan's office argues that the matters are unrelated and the hearings will move forward.

"The hearings have become essential for Emerald because the casino firm has gone into Bankruptcy Court and the gaming license the state wants back is its only significant financial asset. Although Emerald may never open in Rosemont, its investors would like to sell the license and get their investments back.

"Hall's ruling follows a directive issued last year by the Illinois Appellate Court that ordered the Gaming Board to approve Emerald's request to renew its license and allow it to relocate…"

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