Rockford is sending the first shots in the casino battle at the Wisconsin-Illinois border.
Illinois passed a gambling expansion bill last month that will allow Rockford to get a gaming license, and the goal is to get it built before the Ho Chunk can, across the state line.
“This year, Republicans joined Democrats in a bi-partisan effort, and we got it done.” Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker said Monday in Rockford. “We’re going to do everything possible to help Rockford beat Beloit and attract casino goers from across the border.”
Illinois Representative Maurice West of Rockford says they’re working to get a casino built in 24-to-48 months.
Beloit’s Ho-Chunk casino project is still waiting for approval from the Bureau of Indian Affairs before it can proceed further.
