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Press Release
The Villages of East Hazel Crest and Homewood (IL) issue RFP to Gaming Companies
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THE VILLAGES OF EAST HAZEL CREST AND HOMEWOOD, IL (FEBRUARY 15, 2013) – Through the law firm of Barnes & Thornburg, LLP, the villages of East Hazel Crest and Homewood are issuing a notice of a Request for Qualifications and Proposals ("RFP") to identify a gaming company to endorse for a south Chicago suburban casino development.
The villages seek to qualify and select a casino gambling developer and operator to endorse as an applicant for a license from the Illinois Gaming Board. The villages intend to select one successful applicant, enter into best-and-final negotiations, and enter into a Project Development Agreement to prepare for the Illinois Gaming Board license application process.
The villages intend to have the site developed into a long-term, quality gaming and entertainment destination with associated lodging, parking, and dining amenities. Respondents to the RFP are expected to propose a project that is to be compatible with the overall arc of development in the villages and mitigate any adverse impact on the current standards for quality of life, traffic flow, public safety, and economic development.
Moreover, village officials believe the project will maximize the positive economic development for both communities by improving the overall property tax base for the project area, provide high-paying employment opportunities for the area, and will support existing businesses by increasing the purchases of goods and services. For both villages, the casino will generate new income through gaming tax revenue, which can finance the expansion of public services, improvements to aging infrastructure, and support for other taxing bodies.
Responses to the RFP are due March 31, 2013. Public presentations by respondents will take place on May 6, 2013 with a public comment period from May 7 to May 17, 2013. An announcement of the endorsed developer and development agreement is scheduled for May 29, 2013. The full timetable is available in the RFP, but is subject to change if necessary.
The RFP, Senate Bill 1849 and other documents associated with the RFP are available on the Village of Homewood Website at www.homesweethomewood.com. All questions regarding this RFP or the process should be sent by e-mail to Craig S. Burkhardt at [email protected].
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ABOUT THE VILLAGE OF EAST HAZEL CREST
The Village of East Hazel Crest is a small diverse multicultural residential community located 23 miles south of Chicago’s Loop. East Hazel Crest’s small town charm combined with its fiscally responsible governing board offers tranquil living with easy access to retail and commercial business. East Hazel Crest is bordered by I-80/I 294 on the north, with exit ramps at Halsted Street on the east and Dixie Highway on the west as well as it is bisected by the Metra Electric/Canadian National Railroad. East Hazel Crest offers a 1200 car Metra parking lot immediately adjacent to the Metra Electric Stations.
ABOUT THE VILLAGE OF HOMEWOOD
The Village of Homewood is a vibrant community committed to maintaining high quality services within a framework of fiscal responsibility and fostering a successful business environment. Located just 25 miles south of Chicago's Loop, Homewood is a quiet suburban village with nationally acclaimed elementary and high school districts as well as parochial schools, an award-winning park district, and commuter-friendly downtown with Amtrak and Metra stops and convenient exit ramps off I-80 and I-294. In 2007, Forbes.com named Homewood one of the top most livable metro-area suburbs in the Midwest.
The villages seek to qualify and select a casino gambling developer and operator to endorse as an applicant for a license from the Illinois Gaming Board. The villages intend to select one successful applicant, enter into best-and-final negotiations, and enter into a Project Development Agreement to prepare for the Illinois Gaming Board license application process.
The villages intend to have the site developed into a long-term, quality gaming and entertainment destination with associated lodging, parking, and dining amenities. Respondents to the RFP are expected to propose a project that is to be compatible with the overall arc of development in the villages and mitigate any adverse impact on the current standards for quality of life, traffic flow, public safety, and economic development.
Moreover, village officials believe the project will maximize the positive economic development for both communities by improving the overall property tax base for the project area, provide high-paying employment opportunities for the area, and will support existing businesses by increasing the purchases of goods and services. For both villages, the casino will generate new income through gaming tax revenue, which can finance the expansion of public services, improvements to aging infrastructure, and support for other taxing bodies.
Responses to the RFP are due March 31, 2013. Public presentations by respondents will take place on May 6, 2013 with a public comment period from May 7 to May 17, 2013. An announcement of the endorsed developer and development agreement is scheduled for May 29, 2013. The full timetable is available in the RFP, but is subject to change if necessary.
The RFP, Senate Bill 1849 and other documents associated with the RFP are available on the Village of Homewood Website at www.homesweethomewood.com. All questions regarding this RFP or the process should be sent by e-mail to Craig S. Burkhardt at [email protected].
# # #
ABOUT THE VILLAGE OF EAST HAZEL CREST
The Village of East Hazel Crest is a small diverse multicultural residential community located 23 miles south of Chicago’s Loop. East Hazel Crest’s small town charm combined with its fiscally responsible governing board offers tranquil living with easy access to retail and commercial business. East Hazel Crest is bordered by I-80/I 294 on the north, with exit ramps at Halsted Street on the east and Dixie Highway on the west as well as it is bisected by the Metra Electric/Canadian National Railroad. East Hazel Crest offers a 1200 car Metra parking lot immediately adjacent to the Metra Electric Stations.
ABOUT THE VILLAGE OF HOMEWOOD
The Village of Homewood is a vibrant community committed to maintaining high quality services within a framework of fiscal responsibility and fostering a successful business environment. Located just 25 miles south of Chicago's Loop, Homewood is a quiet suburban village with nationally acclaimed elementary and high school districts as well as parochial schools, an award-winning park district, and commuter-friendly downtown with Amtrak and Metra stops and convenient exit ramps off I-80 and I-294. In 2007, Forbes.com named Homewood one of the top most livable metro-area suburbs in the Midwest.