Illinois: Peoria officials woo Boyd Gaming for land-based casino, discussions continue

City officials in Peoria are in talks with Boyd Gaming Corp. about potential locations for a new land-based casino, hoping to attract the gaming giant to their side of the Illinois River. The move would mark a significant shift from Boyd’s current operation of the Par-A-Dice riverboat casino in East Peoria.  

City representatives have identified several potential sites near interstate highways to accommodate Boyd’s preference for high-visibility locations, Peoria Mayor Rita Ali said. The exact locations have not been disclosed.  

“Casinos usually like locations that are near an expressway or highway. They like that visibility for people who might be passing through,” Ali said, as per Peoria Journal Star.  

Boyd Gaming has expressed interest in replacing the Par-A-Dice casino with a land-based facility, though no decision has been made, and discussions remain ongoing.  

A 1991 agreement between Peoria and East Peoria stipulates that any new land-based casino must be built on Peoria’s side of the river. Mayor Ali underscored the city’s commitment to enforcing the agreement, though she acknowledged uncertainty regarding Boyd Gaming’s intentions.  

“I do feel strongly that we should enforce that agreement,” Ali said.  

Peoria City Manager Patrick Urich described the conversations with Boyd Gaming as “very professional,” noting the company’s openness to continued discussions.  

To bolster its pitch, Peoria hired attorney John Elias and investment firm Innovation Capital to assist in crafting a strategy to attract Boyd Gaming. The city will pay Elias $395 per hour and Innovation Capital a minimum of $10,000 monthly.  

The city council took this step in December as part of its broader effort to secure the casino project. Urich said the legal and investment team has been a valuable resource.  
City councilmember and mayoral candidate Chuck Grayeb expressed optimism about the project, citing the city’s strategic advantages. “We want to make it a great place, show them some of the locations where we think it would work well relative to our interstate highway links,” Grayeb said.  

The timeline for a decision remains unclear, but Mayor Ali said discussions with Boyd Gaming began last summer and have included multiple meetings.  

Peoria officials remain hopeful about securing the project, with Urich stating the city’s goal is to “find something that is amenable to everyone.”