Should A New Casino Come To Worth Township?

WORTH TOWNSHIP, IL — New gambling legislation passed over the weekend could bring a slew of new casinos to the state, and Mayor Lou Presta says he knows the perfect spot for one in Crestwood. Others, though, aren't convinced they'll see any benefit from the new law.

The legislation permits, among other provisions, the opening of casinos in Chicago, Waukegan, Rockford, Danville and Williamson County. It also permits slot machines at both O'Hare and Midway airports, as well as a new horse track in Palatine. Gambling expansion along with other revenue-raising measures in the bill could net Illinois more than $12 billion over the next six years, Indian Creek Democrat Terry Link told the Daily Herald.

But the south suburbs are in line for two new venues — a casino and a 'racino,' or combination horse racing track and casino — under the state's massive gambling expansion. According to the law, a new harness track can be built in one of seven townships in Cook County: Bloom, Bremen, Calumet, Orland, Rich, Thornton or Worth townships. It can't, however, be situated within 35 miles of an existing racing facility without that track granting permission. The former Tinley Park Mental Health Center site, which is Orland Township, is a likely location for a future racino. The new casino could also be located in one of those same townships, excluding Orland, the Sun-Times reports.

Presta said the Village of Crestwood has invested $15 million in cleaning up 51 acres for commercial development along the Cal-Sag channel on Route 83, east of Cicero Avenue. The property would have to be leased from the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District.

"It's the perfect spot for a casino," the mayor said. "It's close to I-294 and out of the way. It’s not near any homes."

Presta says he's been contacted by casino operators interested in the property. Crestwood is already home to the Hawthorne Off-Track Betting facility.

"If we can make money we're going for it. Crestwood is pro-business," Presta said. "We're looking into it but we're being careful."

Crestwood is prepared to enter the fray to win the coveted casino. Presta says he can see a big casino operator, such Churchill Downs Inc., the majority owner of Rivers Casino in Des Plaines, or Ceasars Entertainment, the owner-operator of Horseshoe Hammond across the Illinois-Indiana border, coming to the south suburbs.

"They might want a spot, I can see them coming down here," Presta said, adding that he'd also be open to locating a recreational marijuana dispensary in Crestwood. "It might affect Horseshoe. It's up to the Illinois Gaming Board, they have the final say."

State Rep. Bob Rita (28th District) championed the gambling expansion bill, SB 690, which passed the Illinois House 87 to 27.

"Senate Bill 690 is a jobs bill. It's going to create jobs, it's going to create economic development," Rita said in presenting the bill on the House floor. "Let's vote yes and let's put people to work."

Oak Lawn Mayor Sandra Bury said that if taxes were low and the state fostered a pro-business climate "our local economies would be thriving and we would be getting the needed revenue from sources such as sales tax instead of gambling, liquor and drugs."

"It is much more preferable by far to have organic job and sales tax growth from an economy that allows residents to live their dreams in a climate of small business ownership and entrepreneurship," she added.

Although Worth Township is specifically included as a location for a potential casino, Bury told Patch that most of the municipalities in Worth Township are excluded from revenue sharing.

"I'd like to ask Rep. Rita why that is the case," Bury said. "I am told that verbiage has been in the bill historically, however that doesn't explain why the taxpayers of Alsip, Chicago Ridge, Evergreen Park, Oak Lawn and others are excluded, even though our township is specifically included in the bill. It seems to me that if the bill mentions Worth Township for revenue sharing, all communities in Worth Township should participate. Unfortunately only the Worth Township communities in Rep. Rita's district get that consideration."

Gov. J.B. Pritzker has expressed his support for the measure, stating that expanding gambling could create 10,000 new jobs in "communities hungry for employment."

~ Patch Editor Erika Hobbs contributed to this report.