Hard Rock Casino Rockford took a major step a few days ago when the Illinois Gaming Board said it could seek construction approvals and accepted a list of 51 investors and granted a supplier license to the casino's landlord.
An article in the Rockford Register Star stated that these latest steps took 20 months after Rockford City Council chose Hard Rock from among three finalists seeking to build a casino.
"Now that the owner of the proposed temporary site and the proposed permanent site for the casino in Rockford has been licensed, that project can move forward with requesting approval to commence construction on the temporary and permanent facility."
Illinois Gaming Board Administrator | Marcus Fruchter
The investors consist of people, trusts and companies. Each holds at least a 5% ownership stake in 815 Entertainment LLC. That is the company established to unite Hard Rock International with Illinois investors.
Ringland-Johnson Construction President Brent Johnson, Midwest Rockford Group founder and president Sunil Puri and Marc Jacobson were named key people who can hold executive positions with the company. More investors could be considered by the Gaming Board at a future meeting.
815 Entertainment will serve as the ownership group of the estimated $311 million Hard Rock entertainment complex, which, if approved by the Gaming Board, will be located at the former location of the Clock Tower Resort on East State Street near the Interstate 90 entrance.
Plans are to build a temporary casino at the location of Giovanni's, 610 N. Bell School Road, while construction begins at the permanent location.
815 Beltway Holdings is the group led by chief investor Dan Fischer. He is the owner of Dotty's gambling cafe chain, who originally bought the permanent casino location. Dotty's gambling cafe chain is expected to serve as the landlord and was granted a casino supplier's license.
Fischer's group took possession of the temporary casino property by exercising their lease and ownership agreement clauses after Joseph Castrogiovanni was found unsuitable for a supplier's license. It seems that Castrogiovanni was arrested and sentenced to probation over charges related to shots he fired at an occupied car outside his former Ogle County home. His lawyer is requesting a hearing before the Gaming Board to clear his name.
The 37,790 square foot restaurant and banquet hall will be the temporary casino location for about two years after undergoing an $8.87 million renovation. It will feature the following:
- 736 slot machines
- Maintain two restaurants
- Possibly a Rock Shop
The permanent location will include:
- 65,000 square foot casino
- Hard Rock Cafe
- 1,600 seat Hard Rock Live venue
- 1,500 slot machines
- 55 table games with room for expansion
- Three restaurants
- Two quick service cafes
- In-person sports book
This will definitely be a shot in the arm for Rockford as it is expected to create 1,200 Rockford-area construction jobs and 1000 permanent casino jobs.
According to My State Line, the Rockford City Council voted in favor of the plan from Hard Rock International back in October 2019, after considering proposals from downtown Rock River West Casino Group and Forest City Casino.
Governor J.B. Pritzker signed a gaming expansion bill into law on June 28, 2019, allowing a casino to be built in six areas in Illinois, including Rockford.
The company has committed to enhancing the Rockford community by:
- Incorporating a music production studio at Washington Park Community Center
- Build an outdoor amphitheater at Levings Lake
- Provide enhanced performance opportunities
- Make possible improvements to the Sinnissinni Music Shell
- Provide support for neighborhood youth programs
WREX 13 reports that now the construction plans for the temporary casino at Giovanni's must be submitted to both the City of Rockford and the Illinois Gaming Board. They will both need to approve those plans separately as well.
Prior to opening the temporary casino, the Illinois Gaming Board will need to do on-site inspections before giving the greenlight to gamble.
Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara stated that Hard Rock has been pretty consistent that they are going to need 90 to 120 days to get construction up and running at that temporary site. He guesses that gambling will begin sometime in the fall.
Mayor McNamara estimates that the temporary casino could bring in several million dollars while the permanent casino is being built. He thinks it could take two to three years before the permanent casino could be a reality.
Once the temporary construction plans have been approved, the construction plans for the permanent casino will be submitted. Those will also need to be approved by both the City of Rockford and the Illinois Gaming Board.