THE JOURNAL & TOPICS NEWSPAPERS | FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2008
Residents Meet To Keep Casino Out
By TODD WESSELL
Journal & Topics Editor
A group of Des Plaines residents who for years has fought against allowing a casino to operate here will meet within about a week to formulate a strategy to try to keep gaming out of the city.
Jim Blue, head of Citizens Against Gambling Expansion (CAGE), said that even though the organization has not been very active in recent years, he is certain members will rise up against plans to bring a casino to Des Plaines.
Blue said he believes CAGE members will attend a future public meeting of the Illinois Gaming Board where testimony will be given.
Applications to obtain the state's 10th license to own and operate a casino must be filed with the Gaming Board by the end of Oct. 14.
The next day, the board will reveal the names of all applicants and provide specific information about their proposals.
Eventually the list will be narrowed to three finalists after which one or more public hearings will be held to solicit input.
Two casino proposals for Des Plaines, it's believed, will be submitted to the Gaming Board by Oct. 14.
Chicago billionaire Neil Bluhm wants to own a casino on property on the west side of River Road north of Devon Avenue.
Robert Kozonis, owner of the 50-acre O'Hare Lakes office complex on Devon and the Tri-State Tollway, has said he will submit an application as well.
Proposals are also expected to be submitted for casinos in Rosemont, Waukegan, Country Club Hills and Summit.
Blue and members of CAGE have opposed casino gambling in Des Plaines for years saying it brings trouble to the city in the form of crime and siphons business from local companies.
Blue said he hopes Des Plaines aldermen will conduct a public meeting on the casino issue prior to Oct. 14. If such a meeting is conducted, he and CAGE members will attend.
Finance Committee chairman Ald Don Smith (7th) said this week that his committee will likely conduct a meeting on the subject.
He mentioned that meeting may be held next Monday, Sept. 29, but as of Wednesday of this week, a final decision on the date, time and location was not set.