The mayor of Danville lives near a Big Lots store, where a bus from East Peoria’s Par-A-Dice Casino regularly stops to pick up customers. Mayor Rickey Williams Junior says he hopes a casino planned for his eastern Illinois city will lead to other buses bringing out-of-towners to Danville instead.
The casino operator approved by the Danville City Council this week still has to obtain a state gaming license. But the mayor of Danville says once it’s built, the casino will be an economic boon.
After years of trying, the city of Danville now has the state’s permission to host a casino, thanks to Illinois’ new gambling expansion law. Jim Meadows talks with Danville Mayor Rickey Williams, Jr., about what's ahead.
Decatur Conference Center and Hotel owner Steve Horve says former Argosy Gaming Co. executives Joe Urman and Jeff Roberts are interested in opening a satellite or mini-casino in his facility, if lawmakers in Springfield approve a gambling expansion bill that includes a license for Decatur.
If passed, gaming expansion could serve as an advantage to cities like Danville. A panel of lawmakers from both chambers, which includes House Assistant Republican Leader Chad Hays of Catlin, meets for the first time Tuesday.
