12-06-2008, 04:04 PM
This is from the News Sun -their opinion. I bring it here because of the job numbers they mention. This month the city will find out -still time to think about how to safeguard those jobs for Americans and legal immigrants. Google it. In other parts of the country many Americans and legal workers are NOT getting these jobs.
The big picture
December 4, 2008
While a small group of Gurnee residents close to Waukegan's potential casino at Fountain Square are trying to drum up opposition to the city's attempt to snare the state's last gaming license, across Illinois in Rock Island the state's newest casino has been unveiled. Like Waukegan, Rock Island is a water town. Rock Island has its riverfront along the Mississippi, Waukegan its lakefront. Like Waukegan, Rock Island has seen an exodus of jobs from its once-vibrant manufacturing base.
The $150 million Jumer's Casino Rock Island, a 42,500-square-foot casino and five-story hotel opened Monday. It sports 1,100 slot machines, 24 table games and six live poker tables. The complex also includes four restaurants and a nightclub.
But here is what should be the bottom line for supporters of the $225 million proposed casino site at Fountain Square: The 16-month construction project used 400 building trades workers while the Rock Island casino employs 700 full-time employees.
Perhaps that is one reason Gurnee Mayor Kristina Kovarik is remaining neutral as Waukegan vies with Rosemont and Des Plaines for approval to build the 50,000-square-foot casino and hotel complex. In 2004 when Waukegan squared off with Rosemont and Des Plaines, then-Gurnee Mayor Donald Rudny was a vocal opponent of siting a casino at Fountain Square.
We're on record supporting the Waukegan bid. Not only is awarding the 10th and last license to Waukegan good for the city and county, it is good for the state. A study at the behest of the Waukegan consortium found a casino in the county would be the highest-grossing casino in Illinois in its first full year of operation, generating $379 million in gross gaming revenues.
[img]There%20is%20more%20economic%20good%20news%20for%20the%20region:%20It%20would%20bring%20in%20more%20than%201,200%20jobs%20and%20more%20than%202,700%20indirect%20and%20direct%20jobs.[/img] Some of those jobs undoubtedly would go to Gurnee residents. Waukegan also plans to share 20 percent of its portion of gaming revenues with Park City, North Chicago, Round Lake, Round Lake Park, Round Lake Beach, Round Lake Heights, Beach Park and Zion.
The Illinois Gaming Board is expected to name the 10th license winner late this month. The panel's members should not be steered away from the Waukegan site by NIMBYs more interested in their tiny turf than the bigger economic picture.
The big picture
December 4, 2008
While a small group of Gurnee residents close to Waukegan's potential casino at Fountain Square are trying to drum up opposition to the city's attempt to snare the state's last gaming license, across Illinois in Rock Island the state's newest casino has been unveiled. Like Waukegan, Rock Island is a water town. Rock Island has its riverfront along the Mississippi, Waukegan its lakefront. Like Waukegan, Rock Island has seen an exodus of jobs from its once-vibrant manufacturing base.
The $150 million Jumer's Casino Rock Island, a 42,500-square-foot casino and five-story hotel opened Monday. It sports 1,100 slot machines, 24 table games and six live poker tables. The complex also includes four restaurants and a nightclub.
But here is what should be the bottom line for supporters of the $225 million proposed casino site at Fountain Square: The 16-month construction project used 400 building trades workers while the Rock Island casino employs 700 full-time employees.
Perhaps that is one reason Gurnee Mayor Kristina Kovarik is remaining neutral as Waukegan vies with Rosemont and Des Plaines for approval to build the 50,000-square-foot casino and hotel complex. In 2004 when Waukegan squared off with Rosemont and Des Plaines, then-Gurnee Mayor Donald Rudny was a vocal opponent of siting a casino at Fountain Square.
We're on record supporting the Waukegan bid. Not only is awarding the 10th and last license to Waukegan good for the city and county, it is good for the state. A study at the behest of the Waukegan consortium found a casino in the county would be the highest-grossing casino in Illinois in its first full year of operation, generating $379 million in gross gaming revenues.
[img]There%20is%20more%20economic%20good%20news%20for%20the%20region:%20It%20would%20bring%20in%20more%20than%201,200%20jobs%20and%20more%20than%202,700%20indirect%20and%20direct%20jobs.[/img] Some of those jobs undoubtedly would go to Gurnee residents. Waukegan also plans to share 20 percent of its portion of gaming revenues with Park City, North Chicago, Round Lake, Round Lake Park, Round Lake Beach, Round Lake Heights, Beach Park and Zion.
The Illinois Gaming Board is expected to name the 10th license winner late this month. The panel's members should not be steered away from the Waukegan site by NIMBYs more interested in their tiny turf than the bigger economic picture.