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IN THE NEWS
O'Rourke Firm
May 26, 20201 min read
Chicago Hits the Jackpot in Special Legislative Session
Illinois casinos may be closed due to the coronavirus pandemic, but Chicago hit the jackpot during legislators’ abbreviated session. Both...
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O'Rourke Firm
Nov 5, 20192 min read
Illinois Gaming Expansion: Jackpot for Diversity
In late June 2019, Governor JB Pritzker signed the gaming expansion bill – allowing for six new casinos, expansion of gambling at...
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O'Rourke Firm
Oct 21, 20191 min read
Calumet City casino proposal aims to revitalize River Oaks Center
The latest entry in the south suburban casino sweepstakes aims to put a new gaming facility less than two miles from the Indiana border...
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O'Rourke Firm
Oct 19, 20191 min read
Downstate ‘Little Egypt’ casino plan fields dreams
With the Friday approval of a casino planned for a southern Illinois winery, Chicago is the only authorized city left without a bid. Up...
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O'Rourke Firm
Oct 17, 20191 min read
Calumet City joins scrum for south suburban casino license with proposal involving River Oaks site
After narrowly losing out on a bid for a casino license a decade ago, Calumet City is now making the current quest for a coveted south...
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O'Rourke Firm
Oct 17, 20191 min read
Lightfoot floats casino, real estate transfer tax plans with Chicago delegation
Mayor Lori Lightfoot wants the Illinois General Assembly to reduce the effective tax rate on a Chicago casino to 45 percent, have the...
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O'Rourke Firm
Oct 10, 20191 min read
Lynwood enters south suburban casino race with Ho-Chunk proposal
A second south suburb has put its cards on the table with a bid to land the area’s long-coveted, newly authorized casino. Lynwood village...
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O'Rourke Firm
Oct 10, 20191 min read
Hard Rock Casino Rockford readies for next hurdle
Hard Rock International on Monday night successfully navigated the city’s casino approval process, beating out two other contenders. Now...
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O'Rourke Firm
Oct 8, 20191 min read
Hard Rock Casino Rockford wins City Council approval
ROCKFORD — Hard Rock Casino Rockford has won the blessing of City Council and its proposal now moves on for consideration by the Illinois...
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O'Rourke Firm
Oct 1, 20191 min read
Rockford city staff recommends Hard Rock casino proposal
The city of Rockford staff will recommend certification of the Hard Rock International casino proposal to the Illinois Gaming Board, per...
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O'Rourke Firm
Sep 26, 20191 min read
Rockford casino developers make their case
Hard Rock International brought the sizzle, Gorman & Co. made a case for an urban downtown casino and Forest City Partners said it wants...
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O'Rourke Firm
Sep 26, 20191 min read
Hard Rock offered downtown booster group support in exchange for Rockford casino endorsement
Hard Rock International is trying to drum up support for its casino proposal by offering financial support to various local groups in...
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O'Rourke Firm
Sep 25, 20191 min read
Public hearing on Waukegan casino proposals set for Sept. 18
Each of the would-be developers of a Waukegan casino will get a chance to make their pitch to the Waukegan City Council and the community...
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O'Rourke Firm
Sep 3, 20191 min read
Legal sports wagering begins in Indiana
Sports wagering in Indiana? You can bet on it. At exactly 12:30 p.m. Sunday, Todd Sanders, of Highland, walked up to a counter at the...
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O'Rourke Firm
Sep 3, 20191 min read
Illinois Gaming Board Seeks Public and Industry Comment on Recently Enacted Sports Wagering Act
The Illinois Gaming Board (“IGB”), is seeking input from the public, the sports wagering industry, and other stakeholders regarding...
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O'Rourke Firm
Aug 20, 20191 min read
Hawthorne Plans to Halt Thoroughbred Racing Next Spring While Building Casino at Illinois Track
Hawthorne Race Course has submitted a request to the Illinois Racing Board (IRB) for fewer race dates in 2020. The Cicero track, though,...
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O'Rourke Firm
Jul 22, 20191 min read
Hard Rock would be the ‘best partner’ for a Rockford casino, Cheap Trick guitarist says
About 100 invited guests including Rick Nielsen’s family attended an event Tuesday announcing that Hard Rock International wants its name...
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O'Rourke Firm
Jul 11, 20191 min read
Lawmakers Expect Rockford Casino To Boost Local and State Revenue
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed a bill at the end of June that allows six new casinos and legalizes sports betting. Rockford is the...
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O'Rourke Firm
Jul 11, 20191 min read
Clock begins ticking on potential Chicago casino
Mayor Lori Lightfoot has not said where she’d like the casino to go. “I’m hoping we can get it done relatively soon, so we can start the...
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O'Rourke Firm
Jul 9, 20191 min read
Illinois' gaming expansion is law. When will we see sports betting, more video gambling?
Just because Gov. J.B. Pritzker has signed a massive gaming expansion into law, which, among other things, legalized sports wagering in...
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