Two Will County Board Members Oppose Proposed Matteson Casino

FRANKFORT, IL — Two Will County board members from Frankfort have released a statement opposing the location of the proposed casino in Matteson. The village of Matteson approved its proposal in October and submitted the location as a possibility to the Illinois Gaming Board. Only one casino will be permitted in the south suburbs, and four proposals have been submitted.

"We oppose the proposed casino in the village of Matteson since its impact has not yet been carefully considered and studied," Amanda Koch and Jim Moustis said in a release. "The current proposed site at the corner of US 30 and Harlem Avenue is 1,500 feet from a school and only 400 feet from a residential neighborhood. While Will County has no direct say in where a Matteson casino would be built, our residents will be impacted. We urge the village of Matteson to consider their neighbors in Will County and the quality of life for our region as a whole when deciding the location of this casino."

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.