Rockford submits Request for Proposals in casino push

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ROCKFORD, Ill. (WIFR) -- The city of Rockford released a Request for Proposals regarding casino expansion on Wednesday.

The document​ offers details on the city's background, potential project sites and a timetable for casino completion.

This request comes after Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed the state's gaming expansion bill into law last week, giving permission for land-based casinos to six different sites in Illinois.

Rockford offered the following timetable for casino expansion.

July 25: Last day for interested proposers to submit written questions
August 1: Responses to questions distributed via addendum and on the City’s website
Aug. 16: Request for Proposals responses due by 2 p.m.
Aug. 19-Sept. 13: City follow-up questions to proposers, evaluation
September 16: Evaluation team submits recommendations to City Council
Sept. 23: Public Hearing
By Sept. 30: City Council certifies proposers
Before Oct. 25: Applications filed with Illinois Gaming Board

Rockford will also be part of an impact study from the Illinois Gaming Board to determine which location in the city would provide an impact to the region.

If a license is approved, there could be a temporary site by the end of 2019. The city expects a casino would take at least two years to build.

McNamara says the construction project for the casino alone could bring up to 600 jobs, while the casino itself has the potential to employ 1,100 workers.

Read more https://www.wifr.com/content/news/Rockford-submits-Request-for-Proposals-in-casino-push-512183141.html