The City of Beloit recently announced their plans for a near-future casino project, and now the Winnebago County Board has expressed support for one here.

There's been no announcement of an imminent casino project in the Rockford area, but the Winnebago County Board has explored the issue more than once.

At the April 12th meeting, the County Board put forth a resolution of support for locating a casino in Winnebago County:

RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT FOR LOCATING A
CASINO IN WINNEBAGO COUNTY
WHEREAS, the County of Winnebago, Illinois desires to support economic growth and opportunity within the County;
WHEREAS, the County of Winnebago, Illinois wishes to encourage the development of business, the creation of jobs, and the increase of revenue for economic development purposes within the County;
WHEREAS, the General Assembly of the State of Illinois has expressed a willingness to increase the number of gambling casino licenses within the State through legislative action; and
WHEREAS, the General Assembly of the State of Illinois has discussed the locating of a casino in the County of Winnebago, Illinois;
WHEREAS, there is an incentive for immediate competitive consideration by the State legislature;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the County Board of the County of Winnebago, Illinois, that the County Board does hereby support legislation, which authorizes the location of a casino within the County.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this Resolution shall be in full force and effect immediately upon its adoption.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Clerk of the County Board is hereby authorized to prepare and deliver certified copies of this Resolution to the County Board Chairman for delivery to State legislative leaders.

From 23News:

"What its not is a discussion about location or who's doing what and any of that. This is just saying that at a time of revenues are what they are, that in perhaps in lieu of taxation, in lieu of cuts in service areas that we don't want to make cuts, that something that might generate revenue might make sense as well," says County Board Chairman Frank Haney.

County Board members in favor of the casino say they hope that this message of support is heard loud and clear by the State legislature in Springfield.

As of right now the county board would not have much involvement in any plans for a casino unless it was built in an unincorporated part of the county.

 

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