Danville City Council members were told last night a proposed casino here may not have to be built near or over water. Mayor Scott Eisenhauer also says that if the Illinois General Assembly passes a gambling expansion bill – a temporary site could be used for gaming as the new casino is being built. Alderman Dan Duncheon suggested that temporary site could be the now-vacant K-Mart.
Mayor Eisenhauer also says Danville’s chances for a casino might depend on what happens in Indiana. ‘’We recognize that those in Terre Haute are very anxious to try to get legislation passed before the state of Illinois does. Recognizing what we recognize – and that is, if in fact the Indiana state legislature can get a bill approved and into the hands of Terre Haute before Illinois does that for Danville, then they are going to be able to monopolize the state line,’’ said Mayor Eisenhauer.
The Mayor says any Danville casino is still a long way off. But he adds if it becomes a reality someday it would create about 600 construction jobs and 800 permanent jobs. He also told aldermen it would create about $5-million dollars a year in new tax revenues for the city. But he noted about 65-percent of the revenue is expected to come from Indiana, and that is why it is important for Illinois lawmakers to act before a possible casino lands in Terre Haute.
