Illinois: Opening of Wind Creek's Chicago Southland casino delayed, estimated completion now set for 2025

The opening of a highly anticipated south suburban casino in Illinois, built by Wind Creek Hospitality, is now scheduled for January 1, 2025, according to redevelopment agreements recently approved by the East Hazel Crest and Homewood suburbs. The initial estimate for completion of the Chicago Southland Casino was later this year or early 2024, but the updated timeline indicates a delay of several months.

The casino and hotel project, located southwest of the interchange of Interstate 80 and Halsted Street, will encompass a 73,000-square-foot casino on property within East Hazel Crest and parking garages on adjacent land in Homewood.

Wind Creek Hospitality's budget for the entire project, including land acquisition, construction, and licensing fees, is estimated to be $529 million, reports Chicago Tribune. Construction on the casino and hotel complex commenced last September after obtaining approval from Illinois gaming officials.

In addition to the casino, the project comprises a 75,000-square-foot entertainment venue and a 252-room hotel. Wind Creek Hospitality stated that the casino will boast 1,350 slot machines and 56 table games upon completion.

However, the precise timeline for the casino's opening remains uncertain. While the redevelopment agreements indicate that the casino will be finished in the fall of 2024, Wind Creek's representatives did not provide a definitive date. The anticipated completion date of January 1, 2025, mentioned in the agreements, is also approximate and may be subject to further extensions or delays.

The casino project is expected to generate around 600 construction jobs during its development phase, benefiting the local community and economy. Once operational, the complex is projected to create approximately 800 permanent jobs.

Homewood Mayor Rich Hofeld said the village has been updated on construction plans. “It’s proceeding on course,” he said Friday, as per the cited source. “It would be nice to have it done tomorrow.”

The gambling revenue generated by the casino will be shared among the participating south suburban communities, including Homewood and East Hazel Crest, as per state legislation that made the casino possible.

Both villages have also been asked to support a resolution to the Cook County Board, seeking a tax break for the casino under a Class 8 designation, which would significantly reduce the property tax assessment level for the project.

Wind Creek's proposed budget includes provisions for tax increment financing (TIF) reimbursement for costs such as land acquisition and site improvements. That money would be paid out as property tax revenue from the development increases and would take place over about 20 years. However, the TIF does not obligate either community to reimburse those costs from their general revenue funds.

Despite the delays in the construction timeline, the casino project continues to progress, with Wind Creek Hospitality striving to ensure a successful and high-quality casino and entertainment destination for Illinois residents and visitors.