The Wind Creek Casino and Hotel is steadily preparing to up the ante in Chicago's south suburbs as it gears up for a late summer opening. This significant development is unfolding on a previously empty plot on South Halsted Street, straddling East Hazel Crest and Homewood. The 16-story, 252-room hotel promises to be a key feature in a community looking to cash in on the booming casino industry. "It will be a nice addition to the Southland. The opportunities for employment, both construction as well as hospitality and the casino operations, are enormous," Homewood Mayor Rich Hofeld told the Chicago Sun-Times.
However, some might wonder if the bet is too risky, given the region's crowded gambling landscape. Seven casinos already operate in Chicago and its suburbs, with revenues on a decade-long decline as reported by the Civic Federation. Furthermore, the recently opened temporary Bally’s downtown has failed to quickly generate the predicted returns, falling nearly $10 million short in tax revenue in 2023, as per data from the Illinois Gaming Board cited by the Chicago Sun-Times. Wind Creek officials, however, appear to not be deterred, steadfast in their belief that their new venue will not only survive but thrive amidst the saturation.
With the casino's construction on schedule for a summer ribbon cutting, Wind Creek's executive VP and general manager Roger Kuehn remains optimistic. According to the Chicago Tribune, Kuehn said, "It is still kind of a dart throw, but I would expect sometime in the third quarter of 2024," indicating the casino's anticipated opening window. The project has been adjusted slightly due to material costs, with the hotel's height cut from 21 to 16 stories, and with swift progress being made on enclosing the 73,000-square-foot casino space before the winter sets in.
Amidst these developments, Wind Creek has already begun to actively recruit for key positions, planning job fairs to be held in the months prior to the casino's grand opening. "The community is embracing us and they can't wait for us to open," Kuehn expressed to the Chicago Tribune, demonstrating local anticipation for the new entertainment venue. The casino is expected to generate approximately 800 permanent jobs, a boon to the local economy.
Beyond the glitz of slots and table games, Wind Creek is also pledging community benefits. East Hazel Crest plans to put a portion of local tax revenue towards a community benefits fund aimed at providing college scholarships and health screenings for low-income families. "That will have a great financial impact to our town," East Hazel Crest Village Mayor Thomas Brown told the Chicago Sun-Times. With these commitments and developments, Wind Creek is doubling down on a community-centric model as it deals its hand in the Chicago area casino scene.
