Matteson Considers New Casino Location

MATTESON, IL — The village of Matteson will hold a public hearing Monday to consider a new casino location. The meeting will be held at 7:30 p.m. Monday at the village hall council room, 4900 Village Commons, in Matteson.

According to the agenda, there will be a public hearing to consider development of a casino at the former Lincoln Square Mall site.

The current proposed casino location has met opposition from residents and political leaders from Will County and Frankfort Township. The proposed site, which was approved by the Matteson village board in October, is across the street from Frankfort Square and less than half a mile from Summit Hill Junior High and less than one mile from Indian Trail Elementary School.

The village of Frankfort also said it hired a consultant who is familiar with the process and procedures of the Illinois Gaming Board. The village board has not formally discussed the casino issue.

"In the meantime, we know some residents filed Freedom of Information Act requests with Matteson that were ignored or denied," the village of Frankfort said. "The village is experiencing a similar response. Thus, we filed a request to review the Matteson FOIA denials with the Office of the Attorney General as we believe Matteson is in violation of the FOIA."

According to the Illinois Gaming Board, Calumet City, Homewood/East Hazel Crest, Lynwood and Matteson have all submitted proposals for a casino. The board has 12 months to process and determine eligibility for each applicant.

The casino proposed in Matteson is right near its Frankfort boundary on the corner of Lincoln Highway and Harlem Avenue. The Chocktaw Nation of Oklahoma would operate this casino, which would include about 2,000 gaming positions, a 36,000 square foot convention space and a 200-room hotel.