11-14-2008, 09:36 PM
Must be some high fiving going on downtown!Waukegan finalist for casino license
November 14, 2008
BY DAN MORAN <!-- e --><a href="mailto:dmoran@scn1.com">dmoran@scn1.com</a><!-- e -->
Waukegan will again face Des Plaines and Rosemont in the final push for a casino after the Illinois Gaming Board selected its finalists Friday for the state's 10th casino license.
"It's almost like turning back the clock to 2004," said Director of Governmental Services Ray Vukovich after he and Mayor Richard Hyde returned from the board's announcement in Chicago. In March of that year, a $520 million bid by Waukegan and Harrah's Entertainment Inc. finished third behind Rosemont and Des Plaines, in that order.
But Vukovich said he likes Waukegan's chances in 2008 as the city and its new gaming partner, Waukegan Gaming LLC, prepare to present the details of their $225 million bid before the board on Nov. 25.
"This region doesn't have gaming at all, (and) I go back to the original intent of the gaming act, which was for communities in need," said Vukovich, adding that a final decision is expected "by the end of the year.
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