The legislature today passed the new gaming bill which will finally give Walker's Bluff a gaming license. If Cindy follows through on her promises it will mean 1000 construction jobs and 750 permanent jobs for this area. She plans to build a convention center, hotel and cabins, water park etc but couldn't invest the money without a casino because all surveys concur that you need gaming to draw people from far away. This could be the destination place Southern IL has always needed. Bring in tourists and sell them on the Wine Trail, hunting and fishing, SIU etc. Would be a big boon for Southern IL. This will all be done with her own money with no government help. This will also bring gaming and sales tax revenue to our area. About 6 months ago I was actually depressed about the future of S IL and SIU in particular. SIU then hired Jerry Kill and he revitalized athletics especially with the hiring of Mullins and the 4 to 10 million donation from Banterra. But also the new renovations for football, basketball, baseball and women's soccer. Kill also predicts about a 500 increase in enrollment this Fall. I hope he's close.
I suddenly feel a new excitement and some new found hope for S. IL in general and SIU in particular. The governor has to sign this new legislation which has promised to do and there was also legislation passed to increase spending for higher education. Are things turning around finally?
Every little bit helps. I do think they are greatly overselling the impact it's going to have, but it does seem like there is finally some positive momentum building for both SIU and southern Illinois. Next up is a new port for Cairo.
Every little bit helps. I do think they are greatly overselling the impact it's going to have, but it does seem like there is finally some positive momentum building for both SIU and southern Illinois. Next up is a new port for Cairo.
OK. Help me out here. Why does Cairo need a new port?
“The hardest thing to explain is the glaringly evident which everybody has decided not to see.”
― Ayn Rand
I don't think anyone downstate has the payola required to grease the paws of the three boss hawgs (gov, house leader, senate leader) in Springfield to get legislation for that casino.
“The hardest thing to explain is the glaringly evident which everybody has decided not to see.”
― Ayn Rand
older article that explains what Cynde Bunch wants to build-
I hope she didn't blow all of her $175 million buying Ruboffs for lawmakers in the last 2 years!
Governor Pritzker is stopping by Walker's Bluff Tuesday to celebrate the new Casino bill passage that includes Walker's Bluff.
Governor Pritzker is stopping by Walker's Bluff Tuesday to celebrate the new Casino bill passage that includes Walker's Bluff.
I didn't know there were Indians at Walker's Bluff.
“The best thing about freshmen is that they become sophomores.”
-- Al McGuire
