Gorman & Company Rockford casino proposal in the works

Gorman & Company is creating a proposal to build a riverfront casino in downtown Rockford and local leaders are reacting to the idea.

"I think it's exciting that we are talking about where it's going to be. not if we are going to get it," said Rockford Mayor, Tom McNamara.

After a long-fought battle, a casino will be built in Rockford.

"A huge thank you to the state legislature and all of our local partners who helped get it," McNamara said.

But the debates are far from over. The new fight is determining where in town it will be located.

"We have people who have a very deep interest in the city of Rockford," McNamara said.

No proposals are submitted, but Hard Rock is suggesting building a casino off Interstate 90 and Gorman & Company envision building a casino downtown Rockford.

"What's been put forth so far is exciting and I'm looking forward to additional proposals. But I want to see when they are all in before I kinda get some sense about what may work out and what may not work out," said 34th District Senator Steve Stadelman.

Senator Dave Syverson agrees with Hard Rock and believes the casino should be built on Rockford's east side.

"For the casino to work you have to draw from the largest amount of area. At the clock tower where you're right off an I-90 you can draw from McHenry County and Dekalb County, two wealthy counties with over 400,000 residents," Syverson said.

Right now these are just suggestions, but after all the proposals are submitted on August 30th, one location will be selected.

" I hope the casino brings long term partner to our community," McNamara said.

After all, proposals are submitted a committee will make a recommendation to the city council and after a public hearing and vote by alderpersons, one proposal will be sent to the Illinois Gaming Board by October 25th.