Park City fights back to save casino

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Aldermen here have a question for Gov. Pat Quinn: “Why not have a casino in Park City?” |Sun-Times file

Updated: December 21, 2011 1:54AM

PARK CITY — Aldermen here have a question for Gov. Pat Quinn: “Why not have a casino in Park City?”

Aldermen at Thursday night’s City Council meeting tersely questioned why the governor crossed Park City off its proposed casino list in favor of an un-named town in Lake County to be selected by his appointed Illinois Gaming Board.

Mayor Steve Pannell said it was the General Assembly last spring that selected Park City as one of five potential casino locations within the state, and the city has been counting on its economic growth and increased job possibilities ever since.

“Here’s why we should have a casino in Park City,” Pannell said. “We were selected by the people’s legislative representatives; we have the perfect location with nearby access to major highways and the Illinois tollway; we have two attractive sites that casino investors can choose from; and we support the governor’s call for strong ethical standards for officials who oversee casino operations.”

Pannell said locating a new casino in Park City will meet one of the original goals of the Riverboat Gambling Act — that it benefit depressed areas that need jobs and economic development the most.

He said while some consider Park City small because it only has 7,000 residents, a casino would also draw employees regionally from its much larger neighbors of Waukegan, Gurnee and North Chicago.

“Shouldn’t Park City have an equal opportunity to enhance its future growth and opportunities for economic development?” he asked.

“Our city is experiencing high unemployment and we need the good-paying jobs that a casino will provide. We are committed to providing a business-friendly attitude and we hope to also attract new commercial enterprises such as restaurants and hotels that would draw casino patrons and provide jobs for our residents,” the mayor said. “The Council also believes the state must act immediately to prevent further diversion of gaming revenue to neighboring states, particularly the Milwaukee casino.”

Pannell pointed out that the city is committed to sharing some of its casino revenues with other nearby communities and school districts.

“The mayor and City Council also agree with Gov. Quinn that gaming operations should be conducted with careful oversight to ensure that criminal interests are not allowed to infiltrate this industry,” he said.

Pannell expects the Legislature will craft a new gambling bill when it meets during the next two weeks in its veto session.

“I still feel optimistic about our chances for obtaining a casino, but we won’t know our fate until the General Assembly acts,” Pannell said, “but I’m not in a panic mode. Our focus remains on economic development and jobs for our people in these troubled times.”