The Selling Of The Southland: The WBEZ/BGA Study On The Expansion Of Amazon “Fulfillment Centers And The Impact On South Suburban Communities
This excellent but troubling story came out last fall. Many of us talked about the negative impact of the negotiations between the behemoth and local governments, but the story hid in plain sight, like many other questionable local deals. There was a letter from five local mayors endorsing my opponent in the Rich Township Supervisor’s race. One of the many scurrilous mailers that they put out talks about my raising taxes in the Township. That’s a lie, it never happened. However, two of those mayors account for a staggering $190 million dollars of local and County tax abatements in their Amazon deals. Some of these deals involve local residents being in hock over 20 years. No value added, no using the funds for real economic development; money just gone. Ironically, the flat Township levy and this multi million dollar giveaway are both in the public record. The difference is, the media and a watchdog group had to conduct a study to bring this to the public. The budget, levy and audit of the Township is on the Township website.
RE: Calvin Jordan’s leadership of Rich Township Democratic Organization and other campaign funds
We appreciate all of you who have reached out in response to our previous two memos and are heartened that you share our concern about the issues we have raised. As we have mentioned, we are not interested in making false accusations, unlike our opponents, but rather we are shining sunlight on matters that are in the public record and need to be considered as you evaluate the candidates for Rich Township government.
Today we are highlighting filings, documents, social media posts and other items that concern Calvin Jordan’s leadership of the Rich Township Democratic Organization and other political funds he controls. While these are not taxpayer-funded accounts, his management of them may indicate how he would run the Township if elected.
In March of 2018, Jordan was elected to be Democratic Committeeman for Rich Township, an unpaid position that comes with great responsibility, including heading up the Rich Township Democratic Organization (RTDO). In his first year as Committeeman, he did not file the required quarterly reports with the Illinois Board of Elections (BOE). This negligence to do so resulted in $27,000 in fines and the termination of the RTDO by the BOE on July 29, 2019. The RTDO had been in good standing with the BOE since October of 1974.
During the time that Jordan was not filing reports, filings from other political organizations indicate that RTDO did receive contributions. We know of at least one organization that had its check clear even though RTDO did not report it. The contribution later showed up in a filing by Friends of Calvin Jordan, even though the check was not made out to that organization. In short, Jordan did not assume responsibility for RTDO’s required filings but he found a way to access funds intended for it. Friends of Calvin Jordan filed its final report on October 15, 2019.
In September of 2019, Jordan filed paperwork with the BOE on behalf of the Rich Township Democrats (RTD). In its filing for the fourth quarter of 2020, the organization showed that it paid Jordan $2,000 on December 14, 2020, for “Campaign Work.” While we do not believe it to be illegal, it is unusual, as we noted above, Committeeman is an unpaid position. When other political organizations, candidates, unions, individual donors and dues-paying members contribute to RTD we do not believe they do so with the expectation that Jordan would pocket their donations, especially considering that is position is traditionally unpaid.
Jordan’s pattern of not filing timely reports with the BOE continued into this campaign. Both the Rich Township First Party, as well as its Clerk candidate Arlene “Sugar” Al-Amin, filed their fourth quarter 2020 filings on January 27, 2021, twelve days after their due date of January 15, 2021.
Many of you have received three defamatory mail pieces attacking Supervisor Riley. All three were sent out by organizations that have not filed with the BOE as of today. The first piece, which arrived on or around March 9 of this year was from “Transparency in Rich Township” the second hit mailboxes on March 26 or thereafter was from “Citizens for Accountability in Rich Township.” A third scurrilous mailer arrived today from “Fiscal Responsibility in Rich Township.” All three pieces use mail permit #205, the same permit used by Rich Township First for multiple mailings.
In addition to the questions about filings, or lack thereof, on the part of political funds that Jordan controls as well as their spending, RTD was recently identified as distributing unauthorized pieces indicating an endorsement from Mike Glotz, candidate for Mayor in Tinley Park. Mr. Glotz called this out in a Facebook post. In response on its page on the same platform, RTD acknowledged printing and distributing the piece as well as indicated its intention to continue distributing the piece without Mr. Glotz’s blessing.
We hope that you consider Jordan’s stewardship of RTDO/RTD and other political funds he controls as you evaluate his character and fitness for office. The reputation of Rich Township is at stake, as are the reputations of those who enable this behavior with their silence. This is the most consequential Township election in recent history.
Under the award-winning leadership of Supervisor Riley, we pledge to continue to protect Rich Township taxpayers and ensure that residents have the quality services that they deserve. We will carry out this mission with honor, transparency and most importantly, integrity.
In solidarity for Rich Township,
The Integrity Party of Rich Township
Click here to download the memo as well as supporting documents
Thank you to the positive feedback we received on our last memo. It is important that we raise issues regarding matters that are in the public record. We will not make unfounded and defamatory accusations as has been done towards our slate.
Attached please find documents that lead to questions of a pattern of abusive behavior towards Township employees, contractors and representatives of organizations that have relationships with the Township. These documents concern the behavior of Highway Commissioner Calvin Jordan and Trustee Nick Bobis. As with the documents presented in the last memo, an outside individual requested, via a Freedom of Information Act request for “Any and all documents, notes, files, electronic recordings regarding any elected official of the Township that has been accused of or committed or was involved in any types of harassment of staff or anyone associated with the Township entities during his or her conduct as an elected official.”
Synopsis of documents outlining abusive behavior by Highway Commissioner Jordan
Earlier this year, a Township consultant wrote a memo to Supervisor Riley to express her “utter dismay” in regards to a series of encounters with Commissioner Jordan. The encounters came to a head with a phone call she received on February 11 from a political staffer or agent of Jordan. The memo reveals that Jordan directed the political staffer to contact the consultant regarding public Township business and in doing so violated her confidentiality. The memo ended with the consultant noting that she did not “care to be the recipient of another verbal attack from Mr. Jordan.” Attached please find three documents related to this incident.
Synopsis of documents outlining abusive behavior by Trustee Bobis
In 2017, an employee of a community based organization reached out to Supervisor Riley via text to express concern about her interactions with Trustee Bobis that led to the organization removing him from the organization’s volunteer list. In 2018 another Trustee wrote a memo to Bobis stating that his conduct during a Township board meeting was “hostile, personal and unprofessional.” Lastly, in 2019, an employee sent a written complaint to Supervisor Riley that outlined an incident with Bobis that left the employee “feeling very uncomfortable and confused.” Additionally, the employee wrote that she “did not understand the origins of the hostility towards me.” Attached please find three documents related to these incidents.
The public officials elected to represent Rich Township have an obligation to treat employees, contractors, consultants, their colleagues, and community partners with respect. Failure to do so creates a hostile environment, damages the Township’s reputation, and could be costly to taxpayers in that the Township will be a less attractive place to work and do business. . Please read the following documents as you evaluate the candidates for office in Rich Township.
Rich Township Supervisor Al Riley response to Senior mail piece
They’re at it again, but this time they’re using our seniors in their political misinformation mail pieces. First of all, the Rich Township Senior Center is operational, albeit under strict COVID mitigation protocols as directed by IDPH. A recent Rich Township newsletter profiles our Meals on Wheels program, our vital in-home care program, which are fully operational. Volunteers and staff are there every day. We’ve implemented virtual activities to replace the in-person classes. We have our monthly newsletter to seniors and periodic well-being checks by telephone. That doesn’t sound like the senior center being closed to me, despite the mailer with the jagged letters and glasses I haven’t worn in over a decade.
Unfortunately, parts of our area, especially around where the senior center is located, was one of the largest COVID hotspots in the metropolitan area, especially for people age 60 or over. So, it was common sense and good health policy to postpone on-site services until we are told that it is safe to do so. We know for a fact that our clients would much rather give up playing bunko and line dancing for a while, in exchange for being able to see their grandchildren safely one day. The piece then rolls out the same lies and misinformation that you’ve seen on many of their other mail pieces.
As I said before, someone that would stoop to these levels are not fit to develop policy for you and certainly not to spend your tax dollars. Go to AlRiley.com to learn more about the Integrity Party of Rich Township and again, see these baseless claims addressed.
RE: Questions re: Rich Township Road District and Lucinda Property Management
With early voting beginning on Monday, we wanted to bring to your attention questions and concerns about the expenditure of taxpayer funds by Highway Commissioner Calvin Jordan. These are issues that should be examined before Rich Township voters head to the polls.
On December 10, 2020, Supervisor Riley, who is also the head of our slate, sent Highway Commissioner Jordan a letter requesting information about invoices from a company named Lucinda Property Management to the Rich Township Road District. After examination of some of the invoices, Supervisor Riley noticed that the work that Lucinda was hired to perform on behalf of the Road District was done on private property. The properties were in both incorporated and unincorporated areas of the Township, as well as outside of it. According to Illinois law, taxpayer dollars may only be used for public purposes. Taxpayer dollars are not to be used by public officials to provide private services on private property. In the December 10 letter, Supervisor Riley asked Commissioner Jordan to confirm why the work of Lucinda was needed and in what way it was for public purposes. As of the date of this memo, Jordan has not responded to the letter. His non-response should be very concerning.
Attached please find the letter that Supervisor Riley sent Jordan on December 10, 2020, which was obtained by a citizen via a Freedom of information Act request sent to the Township. Additionally, please find a Corporation/LLC search showing that Lucinda only became an LLC on December 29, 2020, 19 days after Supervisor, Riley‘s December 10 inquiry.
Integrity in government is something that we know you take seriously. We believe in it so much we named our slate the Integrity Party because we pledge to continue Supervisor Riley!s practice of ethical,
transparent, and good government that protects Rich Township residents while delivering quality services at the lowest possible cost to taxpayers.
In the proceeding weeks, you have received scurrilous push polls and defamatory mailings, not based on fact, but falsehoods and a lack of respect for your intelligence. Responses to those accusations can be found at alriley.com. That type of offensive politics cannot erase decades of advocacy and achievement in the public record. We know that is not the way you want to be represented.
We are presenting you with these documents in the hopes that you will ask questions and draw your own conclusions. There are other concerns which will be forthcoming. Financial malfeasance on behalf of the Township will greatly diminish the reputation of the Southland and those who enabled it. Please feel free to reach out to any member of our slate to discuss further.
FALSE: Al Riley gave himself a $70,000 pay raise for a part-time job
The Supervisor’s position was once a part-time position with a full-time administrator reporting to the Supervisor. This is typical in many units of government such as cities and villages. Supervisor Riley took on the day-to-day administrative responsibilities of the Township since returning from the state legislature. Since January 2019, Supervisor Riley regularly works well in excess of 40 hours a week as CEO of the Township, not even counting evening Board meetings and his other outreach efforts in the community. The stipend (not a salary) for the position of Township Supervisor had been $30,000 per year. Riley was not compensated for days he was in session in Springfield, so the stipend was much lower. The stipend increase to $70,000 (not a $70,000 “raise”) was unanimously passed by the current Township Board in late 2016 for the 2017-2021 term, in accordance with Illinois law.
FALSE: Al Riley has created a “Toxic Environment” at the Township
This is false. Al Riley has not been hesitant to confront even the appearance of impropriety, be it Highway Commissioner Calvin Jordan’s questionable use of Township funds and resources, or Trustees Bobis, Small, and Goodrich concerning their poor judgment and lack of understanding of Illinois Township law. For many of the hard-working men and women employed by the Township, the working environment is one where fairness and protection of personal rights is at the forefront of daily operations.
Allegations of an $80,000 sexual harassment settlement:
Demonstrably false
Probably defamatory
Supervisor Riley’s record on all forms of harassment:
Asked by his colleagues to serve on harassment committees as a member of the Illinois House
Involved in passage of anti-bullying legislation
Wrote Township ordinances and revised sections of the personnel manual to strengthen safeguards against any form of harassment
Instituted yearly harassment training for all employees and elected officials of the Township
Swiftly addressed harassment allegations against Township elected officials
Lifelong history of combating harassment; 2018 inductee into the Illinois Martial Arts Hall of Fame partially based on his training of women in personal protection and self-defense and passage of anti-bullying legislation
FALSE: Supervisor Riley has been giving out “No Bid Contracts” to “political friends”
Who? All potential vendors are vetted with the requesting department head and evaluated and selected based on merit and demonstrated accomplishments. All work contracted for has a concomitant appropriation from the budget approved by the Township Board. Contracts are awarded as outlined by the Illinois Municipal Purchasing Act. This authority has been used by the Supervisor on a normal or emergency basis, as necessary on behalf of Rich Township.
FALSE: Supervisor Riley hired an employee accused of “unethical” conduct
Who? Since belt-tightening in 2015, very few employees have been hired at Rich Township in an effort by the Township to be a good steward of public tax dollars. There has been a mixture of full and part time employees in the Maintenance and General Assistance departments and the Assessors’ office. These hires, five or six in number, were requested by the Department Head or Constitutional Officer. Township personnel policies instituted by the Supervisor ensure Rich Township employees maintain and live up to the ethical conduct that is expected of public employees. Supervisor Riley has disciplined and, when necessary, terminated any employee who fails to meet those ethical expectations.
Finally, Supervisor Riley, in the interest of transparency, has always made it simple for the public to obtain Township information; recorded or transcribed minutes, agendas, budgets, etc. easily accessible to the public. This accessibility can be facilitated on the Township website or through a Freedom of Information request.
Join me as I introduce the Integrity Party of Rich Township slate at our Virtual Candidate Meet and Greet. Their broad range of experiences will allow us to build on the Township’s legacy, expand our quality services while protecting taxpayers and ensuring a vibrant future for this vital unit of local government. This is a FREE event.
As we celebrate the birthday, legacy and teachings of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King today, let’s also remember that he was also prophetic. His admonitions about the dangers of not addressing the nations’ historical millstone of social and economic inequality was prescient; given our current American Dilemma. Many of the solutions to todays’ issues can be found in his intersecting of the American Labor movement and the Civil Rights movement. This short clip shows the implications, then and now, of heeding his call for social and economic justice.
An Electoral College ballot from Illinois is seen during a joint session of Congress to count the votes in Washington, Friday, Jan. 6, 2017. It’s official: Congress has tallied the Electoral College votes and Donald Trump has been elected president. (AP Photo/Zach Gibson)
WGN Radio – December 14, 2020 – John Williams interview
Alderman Al Riley joins John Williams to explain the electoral process as an elector himself. He describes how a vote is made, just after leaving Springfield.
To listen to the 7 minute interview – 20 minutes after the Electoral Vote – click below.
Homewood Flossmoor Chronicle – December 14, 2020 by Chronicle staff
When Illinois electors met in Springfield Monday morning as part of the Electoral College ritual, Al Riley, representing the 2nd Congressional District, cast his vote for President-elect Joseph R. Biden.
Illinois wasn’t a battleground state in the 2020 election, but Riley said he considered his role as an elector no less important.
“I look at being an elector as an honor, plus a duty not only for the 2nd Congressional District but for the state,” said Riley who retired in 2018 as an elected member of the Illinois House of Representatives after serving for 12 years. He had been a delegate to the Democratic National Convention several times.
He said the ceremony “was not fraught with a lot of pomp and circumstance before,” but it gained so much attention this year “because of the singular behavior of the current president and the fact that he’s going through all these frivolous and really dangerous challenges to our democracy by challenging the sanctity and correctness of the vote.”
“It’s just that the time and the circumstances that made something that should be cursory so important. I think that’s what gave the gathering a little more import than it normally would have had,” he said.
Riley was one of 20 Illinois electors. Illinois earned 20 elector votes by counting each of the 18 congressional districts and the two Illinois senators. The 2nd Congressional District includes Homewood and Flossmoor and is represented by Rep. Robin Kelly, D-Ill.
Vote totals in the 2020 presidential election show Biden won every H-F area precinct and nearly all by a margin of at least 70%.
My motivation as an elected official has always been to help our region develop physically, culturally and socially to the greatest extent possible. Thank you for your support as we’ve achieved many of those goals, and supported good candidates together over the years.
I am counting on your support again as I endorse and support a great slate of candidates to lead the elected offices of Rich Township. I would also be honored to continue to have your support as I campaign for re-election as Rich Township Supervisor. Now more than ever, we need transparency, accountability and personal responsibility in local government. The Integrity Party of Rich Township slate reflects a diverse slate of candidates from government, education, labor and business owners and administrators. These dedicated and honest candidates will represent Rich Township well as we continue to strive for good, effective government; hence the apt name of the slate.
Efficient local government works hand in hand. Rich Township provides services that are unique to townships and are vital to its residents. Services such as General Assistance for the indigent, an acclaimed Food Pantry, an award-winning Transportation department, property tax appeals, senior services programming, voter registration, road and bridge maintenance and more. The Integrity Party of Rich Township slate endeavors to innovate, educate and continue to efficiently provide these services and work with local municipalities to optimize service delivery to our constituents. Stay tuned for more important information about Township Government generally and IPRT’s plan of operation specifically. Thank you for your interest in good government.
There are many Democratic candidates who need our support to flip their district Blue this year. Visit my State Central Committee endorsement page, including Charlene Eads for State Representative of the 79th District.
CITY OF CHICAGO
Early Voting sites in all 50 Wards – plus the Loop Super Site Monday-Friday: 8:30 am – 7 pm Saturday-Sunday: 9 am – 5 pm Election Day, Nov. 3: 6 am – 7 pm
Governor’s State University – Serving all of Will County
Monday – Friday: 10:00 am – 4:30 pm
Oct 24 (Sat): 9:00 am – Noon
Oct 26 – 30: 10:00 am – 7:00 pm
Oct 31 (Sat): 9:00 am – 2:00 pm.
Louis Sherman Community Center – Serving all of Will County
Monday – Friday: 8:30 – Noon Additional sites start Monday, October 26 in Crete, Monee, and Washington Townships. Please visit the Will County Clerk’s website for details.
During the virtual phone bank training, you’ll learn how to get involved, how to have conversations with voters to move them to action, and learn how to use phone calls to share critical voting information with people during the pandemic. Training has already started, and except for Monday the 14th , will be every day through September 19th.
There are a couple of spots still open for tonight, which lasts an hour and 15 minutes. Sign up virtual phone bank training HERE with your preferred training time and mark your calendar. Once you’ve signed up, you’ll be emailed the Zoom video call link, which you should use to join your training session at its scheduled time.
By the way, be sure to check out my website for endorsements and local campaigns that I’ve been involved in that could really use your help this Election Season. Thanks, and on to victory in November, from the top to the bottom of the ticket.
Sincerely, Al Riley State Central Committeeman, 2 nd Congressional District
In response to COVID-19, our Democratic leaders passed landmark legislation to protect our right to vote this year. They also encourage us to take advantage of Vote By Mail to protect you and your community.
Encourages Illinois residents to vote by mail
Illinois State Board of Elections must post on its website a universal vote by mail application.
Election authorities can begin receiving and processing vote by mail applications immediately upon receiving them.
By August 1, 2020 each election authority must send a vote by mail application to: o Any person applied for a ballot – in person or via mail – during the 2018 General Election, 2019 Consolidated Election, or 2020 Primary Election; and
Any person who registered to vote or change their address before July 31, 2020 but after the 2020 Primary Election.
After the election authorities mail applications, the Secretary of State (SOS) is tasked with sending two follow-up mailers to encouraging electors to submit their vote by mail ballot.
New registrant will be allowed to use their voter registration as vote by mail application.
Vote by mail ballots can be processed within two days of receipt, though they cannot be used to tally or total votes until Election Day.
Expands opportunities for voting
Expands early voting hours:
Allows election authorities to establish special early voting hours for persons with health conditions or those with COVID-19 related health concerns.
Requires every election authority to have one universal voting site on Election Day. This is in addition to traditional in-precinct voting requirements.
Allows election authorities to establish curb-side voting programs for any voter.
Allows election authorities to establish drop boxes for vote by mail ballots.
Requires election authorities to accept returned ballots, even if the postage is not included or incorrect.
Ensures every vote is counted
Presumes every returned vote by mail ballot is valid.
Requires each election authority to establish panels of three election judges to review returned vote by mail ballots. These judges, chosen from a list submitted by each political party, must review returned ballots and decide whether to accept or reject ballots.
Ballots can on be rejected if:
the signatures on the envelope and the one used by the election authority do not match;
the ballot envelope was delivered opened;
the voter has already cast a ballot or voted in person on Election Day; or
the voter is not duly registered to vote in the precinct.
To reject a ballot, the panel must vote 3 out of 3 if the rejection is based on signature or 2 out of 3 if rejection is for another reason.
If a ballot is rejected, the election authority must notify the elector within one business day. The elector can ensure the ballot is counted by responding or providing the necessary information no later than 14 days after the election.
Allows anyone registering to vote on election day who fails to bring the proper ID to cast a provisional ballot and have that ballot fully counted if the person submits the necessary documentation to the election authority within 14 days.
Other important changes
Encourages recruitment of election judges, including anyone age 16 and over to serve as election judges (students under 18 will have to meet certain GPA requirements).
Requires election authorities to actively promote vote by mail and other forms of voting in any printed materials, including information about services available for people with disabilities, and anyone with barriers to their ability to vote
The Democratic Party of Illinois wants everyone to be safe and healthy. With the emergence and spread of Coronavirus-2019 (COVID-19), everyone should take the necessary precautions to protect voters, volunteers, candidates, staff and all others involved in the election process. Additional information is available at the Illinois Department of Public Health’s website by clicking HERE.
The Centers for Disease Control also sent out the following emergency guidance relating to precautions and steps poll workers and polling places should be taking to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 by clicking HERE.
Please contact the Democratic Party of Illinois at 217-546-7404 with any questions.
It’s extremely important for you to vote in this Primary Election. There are good people who wish to represent you. To earn my endorsement, one must have knowledge of the issues germane to the office, being of sound character, having a track record and exhibiting selflessness in their words and deeds. Those we elect to represent us should have the ideals of inclusion, fairness and prosperity for all. That’s why you have supported my all of these years. That’s why I hold candidates to the same standard. Please encourage your family and friends to vote up and down the entire Democratic ticket. Visit my Endorsements Webpage to learn more about the candidates I am supporting and for a listing of early voting locations sites in the 2nd Congressional District.
Al Riley
State Central Committeeman, 2nd Congressional District
Will County Court Staff and legal professionals will be volunteering their time to help eligible individuals expunge or seal certain eligible misdemeanor or felony cases. Pre-registering is necessary to insure that you qualify to participate. A completed application must be emailed to circuit_clerk@willcountyillinois.com no later than April 1, 2020. You will be notified by the Circuit Clerk’s Office with additional information, if you have qualified.
Join Citizens For Al Riley for a campaign update, discussion of local/national races, and important state and local issues such as the capital bill, casino and the South Suburban Airport. Other important local issues to the Southland such as the impact of the 2020 Census will also be discussed. In addition, candidates that Committeeman Riley is supporting have been invited to attend.
Join us for a fun night with Al Riley as we celebrate his Birthday with friends, supporters and his endorsed candidates running in the Second Congressional District at the local and state level.
Click HERE to purchase your tickets online. Or RSVP via email and we will hold your tickets at the door. Checks can be made out to Citizens For Al Riley and mailed to PO Box 282, Olympia Fields, IL 60461.
Please call us at (708) 406-6216 or email news@2ndCDscc.com for additional information.
Below are sponsorship levels which will bring Al Riley closer to his fundraising goal.
Gold Sponsor $1,000 – Recognition on digital media. Ten dinner tickets.
Silver Sponsor $500 – Recognition on digital media. Five dinner tickets.
Bronze Sponsor $250 – Recognition on digital media. Two dinner tickets.
Friend Sponsor $125 – Recognition on digital media. One dinner ticket.
Sponsorship commitments should be submitted by Monday, February 24. We appreciate your consideration to support Committeeman Al Riley. Thank you in advance and we look forward to seeing you.
Al Riley is on the nominating slate for Presidential candidate, Senator Elizabeth Warren. Please join him for this important event no matter who you support for the Democratic nomination for President. It is of utmost importance that a Democrat assume the Presidency in November 2020. Meet his campaign committee and other elected officials, sign and take petitions to distribute and get an informed perspective about the nomination process.
You’re welcome. But I’d like everyone to join me in insuring my comrades have efficient health care delivery, especially mental health services where necessary. They should also be able to live out their educational and employment aspirations that they deferred in their service to the country. Spectacle, halftime pageants, free breakfasts and the biggest piece of chicken is fine, but obscures the bigger issue. Let’s help them make up for the time that they lost, gladly, in service.
Country Club Hills, Crestwood drop casino bids; field down to four in south suburbs as state deadline passes
By MIKE NOLAN DAILY SOUTHTOWN | OCT 28, 2019 | 5:54 PM
Country Club Hills dropped out of the crowded field competing for a coveted south suburban casino license, as other communities filed applications touting multimillion-dollar developments with the Illinois Gaming Board to meet Monday’s deadline.
Country Club Hills, which last week had approved plans to seek a casino license, has since reversed course and is instead backing a proposal filed Monday by Matteson, according to Matteson Mayor Sheila Chalmers-Currin. Country Club Hills Mayor James Ford did not immediately return a message seeking comment.
In a statement, Chalmers-Currin said she and Ford had discussed the casino license issue this past weekend.
Crestwood had also indicated it planned to partner with neighboring Robbins on a casino license, but Crestwood wasn’t on a list of license applicants provided by the gaming board.
The south suburban casino license is earmarked for a location in one of six townships: Bloom, Bremen, Calumet, Rich, Thornton or Worth.
Revenue sharing from any south suburban casino would benefit the host community as well as dozens of other area suburbs, according to the new state law expanding gambling throughout Illinois.
A gaming board spokesman said applications filed Monday needed to be checked for completeness, but Monday’s deadline means the field of four candidates has solidified and no new proposals will pop up.
Under the law, the gaming board has up to a year to consider the applications. New casinos are also allowed for Chicago, Rockford, Waukegan and in two downstate locations.
Here are snapshots of the south suburban casino plans publicly disclosed in recent weeks.
Calumet City
Calumet City hopes a $275 million casino-anchored development will spur a rebirth for the struggling River Oaks shopping center.
The city is teaming up with Southland Live Casino, a partnership that includes the privately held firm Delaware North, which operates a casino in Illinois. A vacant Carson Pirie Scott store at the shopping center, southeast of Torrence Avenue and 159th Street, just east of Interstate 94, would be used as a temporary casino while a 150,000-square-foot permanent structure is built, according to plans.
East Hazel Crest/Homewood
East Hazel Crest and Homewood are partnering with a company affiliated with Alabama’s Poarch Band of Creek Indians.
Wind Creek Hospitality wants to build a 64,000-square-foot casino on a 24-acre site southwest of the interchange of Interstate 80 and Halsted Street, spending nearly $300 million on an initial phase that would also include an entertainment center. A second phase would include a 21-story hotel.
The site used to be home to two hotels and is in both suburbs.
Lynwood
The Ho-Chunk Nation, which operates casinos in Wisconsin, is partnering with Lynwood to develop a $300 million casino and hotel on land the nation owns just east of Illinois 394 and north of the highway’s interchange with Glenwood-Dyer Road.
The Ho-Chunk have more than 120 acres and operate Southland Center, an indoor and outdoor sports facility. Plans call for a temporary casino to be operated while the permanent facility is being built.
Matteson
The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma is partnering with the village on a casino development at the northeast corner of U.S. 30 and Harlem Avenue. The first phase would be a 123,000-square-foot casino, with a 200-room hotel and convention center being built later on. The tribe estimates the total development could represent an investment of $300 million.
The Choctaw operate seven casinos as well as 15 mini casinos that are part of travel centers in Oklahoma.
You are cordially invited to join us at the beautiful Odyssey Country Club in Tinley Park.
Citizens For Al Riley is planning a wonderful evening which includes an elegant dinner buffet and live entertainment. Please join us for a concert featuring award winning pianist, composer and music educator,Bethany Pickens and her Trio.
Kindly RSVP by Tuesday, September 24 for individual tickets. Table reservations (10 seats) and sponsorship commitments should be made by Friday, September 20.
We all know that all elections are important, but the 2020 Presidential Election is of paramount importance because of the current state of leadership in the nation. The 2020 Democratic National Convention will be held in Milwaukee from July 13 to the 16th. If you’ve ever wondered how convention delegates are chosen or how to become a delegate, this is the place to be.
The Democratic Party of Illinois and I as a member of the State Central Committee are conducting delegate information sessions in the Second Congressional District. They are going to be held at numerous places throughout the State of Illinois, in every Congressional District.
Please plan on attending, bring your friends, meet people from the Democratic Party of Illinois and learn about the selection process. Below, you will see two locations that you can attend. Attend the meeting that is geographically feasible for you. If you have questions, call the Democratic Party of Illinois or send an email to the contact information on the flyer. To sign up, click on the registration link. Again, please come out and encourage your friends to come to this important information session. We hope to see you there.
Al Riley
State Central Committeeman, 2nd Congressional District of Illinois
