Wkgn Casino and Local Emploment opportunties?

[fedupinwaukegan]

I got this press release on my Waukegan google alert. I see some information about local employment promises -50% of the casino jobs to go to Waukeganites and 'partner communities'. Now the next step for us is to make sure that these jobs go to Americans and legal immigrants -determined with E-verify, I-9 form, etc... Ask you alderman and the mayor what will be done about this if "Waukegan gets the casino.



PRESS RELEASE
Waukegan Casino Would Generate More Annual Tax Revenues for Illinois Than Rosemont or Des Plaines
Locating 10th license in Waukegan best achieves economic and social goals of Illinois Riverboat Gaming Act by helping transform a region, investors tell Illinois Gaming Board

Last update: 4:49 p.m. EST Nov. 25, 2008

CHICAGO, Nov 25, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Locating Illinois' tenth casino in Waukegan would generate more annual state revenue than a facility in either Rosemont or Des Plaines and would best create the kind of profound, long-term and sustainable economic development envisioned by state law, gaming investors said today.

Investors in a proposed Waukegan casino also cited a market analysis showing that a casino in either Rosemont or Des Plaines would take a far greater bite out of state and local tax revenues generated by existing riverboats in Elgin, Aurora and Joliet -- with the resulting additional loss of jobs and casino contributions to social service agencies in those communities.
Waukegan Gaming LLC Principal Edward Duffy summed up the case for Waukegan in today's presentation to the Illinois Gaming Board, which heard from the three finalists seeking Illinois' 10th casino license.

"A Waukegan casino would generate the greatest annual net revenue increase to the state-more than either Rosemont or Des Plaines, which would siphon off a significant portion of patrons and revenue from existing casinos," Duffy said. "But just as important as the revenue generated is what you do with the economic development opportunity. We have partnered with a major, aging industrial city to provide concentrated economic development that will serve as a catalyst for further growth and reverberate throughout the region."

Waukegan Mayor Richard Hyde and the City's Director of Lakefront and Downtown Redevelopment, Robin Schabes, provided the Gaming Board with highlights of the city's $1.2 billion commercial, industrial and residential redevelopment plan.
The "Waukegan Vision," a 20-year plan adopted by the Waukegan City Council in 2003, would redevelop 1,400 acres of the city's lakefront and downtown and create new open space on the lakefront. Prepared by the Chicago architectural firm Skidmore, Owings and Merrill, the plan calls for 3,700 new residential units in four new lakefront neighborhoods and one million square feet of new commercial, retail and public open space.

Mayor Hyde told the Gaming Board that Waukegan's share of casino revenues, coupled with the spin-off effects of new investment and commercial activity related to the casino, could cut the 20-year timeline in half.
In addition to the economic impact that would echo throughout the region as a result of the casino and the downtown/lakefront revitalization, Waukegan plans to share 20 percent of its portion of gaming revenues with eight neighboring communities also suffering economic hardship: Park City, North Chicago, Round Lake, Round Lake Park, Round Lake Beach, Round Lake Heights, Beach Park, and Zion.

A market analysis conducted by Spectrum Gaming of Linwood, N.J. -- which conducts studies across North America for government regulators and gaming companies -- found that the Waukegan casino would be highest-grossing casino in the state in its first full year of operation, generating $379 million in gross gaming revenues.

The Waukegan casino would also generate nearly $200 million in additional state and local taxes during its first full year of operations, more than either Rosemont or Des Plaines after factoring in their negative impact on casinos in Elgin, Aurora and Joliet and the fact that Waukegan would attract far more out-of-state customers given its proximity to Wisconsin.
Another key factor in Waukegan's ability to draw a large customer base is its ease of access from major highways. Spectrum Gaming Managing Director Michael J. Pollock described the Waukegan location as one of the best he's seen anywhere in the US.

"The Waukegan casino location has unmatched ease of highway access, one of the most important indicators of success. Because it is located in far northern Illinois away from existing casinos, it would minimize the impact on existing casinos. Furthermore, it would tap new markets and capture Illinois gaming dollars that are currently going to Wisconsin," Pollock said.

Noting the heavy marketing campaign being waged by the Potawatomi casino in Milwaukee to attract Chicago-area customers, Duffy said the Waukegan casino would likely keep much of that revenue in Illinois. He also noted that Waukegan's more distant location would protect it -- and state tax revenues -- from the impact of a potential Chicago casino.
The Waukegan casino would be located in new Fountain Square mixed-use development, located on Illinois Route 120 between US 41 and the Tri-State Tollway. The casino site is 31 acres, giving it lots of room for expansion. The project includes a 50,000 square foot floating casino and 150-room hotel with amenities such as a fitness center, business center, a banquet center and meeting rooms, restaurants, retail shops and private clubs.

The Spectrum study reports that more than 1,200 fulltime jobs would be created at the casino and hotel, which would also generate more than 2,700 direct and indirect jobs across the economy. Waukegan gaming has pledged to hire at least 50 percent of its employees from Waukegan and its partner communities, giving preference to veterans and to those who have not been fully employed within the previous 12 months.

Highlighting the team's previous experience in leveraging gaming for economic development and social investment, Waukegan Gaming LLC Principal Charles Bidwill, III recounted the economic development success of the Casino Queen in East St. Louis, which he helped develop.

"In 1993, then-Mayor Gordon Bush asked us to build a casino in his community because no one else was interested. The town was bankrupt and couldn't provide basic services for its residents," Bidwill said in remarks prepared for delivery at the presentation. "Fifteen years later, more than $200 million has been invested in the East St. Louis riverfront and local gaming tax receipts of more than $160 million have helped the city regain its financial stability."

Duffy said the previous experience in East St. Louis helped guide Waukegan Gaming in the development of its social investment strategy. The strategy is designed to leverage casino construction and operations to create new career opportunities for the people of northern Lake County and business opportunities for minority and women-owned companies. African-American and Hispanic residents make up 79 percent of Waukegan's population of more than 93,000.
The social investment strategy also calls for establishment of a foundation to provide cash grants to local social service agencies and job training and mentoring programs to help employees advance their careers.

Also addressing the Board on behalf of Waukegan Gaming LLC were investors Lester McKeever and Jeff Parr. McKeever, heading up a diverse investment group, is a partner in the accounting firm Washington, Pittman and former chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago.

Parr is co-CEO and managing director of Clairvest Group Inc, one of Canada's leading providers of equity financing to mid-market companies. Clairvest is licensed to operate casinos in Canada and South America and has $600 million of equity capital under management.
SOURCE Waukegan Gaming LLC

Copyright © 2008 PR Newswire. All rights reserved

[Blackdiamond]

I'm scairt of it all.

[fedupinwaukegan]

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.

[fedupinwaukegan]

An option. And federal contractors must use E-verify.

New city law targets illegals
By Lionel Green
The Reporter

Published December 6, 2008
The Albertville City Council passed a resolution Monday targeting contractors who employ “unauthorized aliens.”

The move comes just one month after the new mayor and council took office, signaling a more serious tone regarding illegal immigration.

“That should be a pretty good indication we’re serious about that hot topic from the campaign,” said Councilman Chuck Ellis.

“You talk to everybody on the campaign trail and that was the one thing everyone wanted to talk about ... the effects of illegal immigration on the community.”

The resolution is patterned after one passed and tested in the courts by the Madison County Commission, said Mayor Lindsey Lyons.

Albertville’s version requires contractors and suppliers with three or more employees to certify that they and their subcontractors use E-Verify to ensure no unauthorized aliens are used in providing services to the city. It applies to contracts of $100,000 or more, although Lyons wants to reduce that figure to $50,000.

Contractors have to sign statements of verification to submit with bid packages, and the city will reject packages without the signed statements.

If unauthorized aliens are not fired when discovered, then contracts may be terminated pending the outcome of a hearing.

Lyons said the city will investigate tips from citizens regarding suspected illegals but doesn’t plan to use city employees to actively patrol the work sites of contractors.

“We’re setting a tone here on illegal immigration,” Lyons said. “As long as the contractor terminates the employees who are not authorized to work in this country, the contract will stay in force. Only when they refuse to do that, will we terminate the contract.”

Council President Diane McClendon said the resolution is a preventive measure allowing the city to actively address the issue of unauthorized aliens.

“I think it could become a problem,” she said. “But it’s also for their protection from being abused.”

Ellis believes enforcement is key.

“It’s only going to be as effective as the enforcement criteria that you use,” Ellis said. “You get what you inspect and you get what you expect. Eventually you have to inspect them to make sure they re doing what’s right.

“But No. 1 is you have to make sure it’s fair to everybody.”

Ellis said enforcement depends on Lyons.

“Enforcement will center around the mayor’s office and how active he wants to be involved in enforcement,” said Ellis, who’s a state trooper.

“I think he will be active. Lindsey is very adamant about the fact that illegal immigration has become a huge issue in the city.

“I think when the people see we’re serious about it, they’ll start taking it seriously.”

[Kom-r-ford]

I find it amusing that Rep. Osmond, Suzie Schmidt and the Lake County Board, Mark Kirk, Susan Garrett and many others opposed the Dairy Land Casino in Kenosha. They held hearings and sent letters of opposition. Some of their listed concerns were a bigger strain on our social resources, traffic, lost entertainment $$ revenue and the big one was that the developers promised to hire local residents then expand out to Wisconsin residents from around the state ignoring Illinois. Funny how they are all quiet on this one.