Rivers Casino To Host Informational Jobs Forum For Waukegan Residents
Waukegan residents can learn how they can apply for the more than 1,200 permanent jobs that the proposed Rivers Casino Waukegan would create in the community at an informational job forum beginning at 10 a.m., Friday, Oct. 11 at Lakehurst Banquets, 300 Lakehurst Road in Waukegan. Rivers' owners, Rush Street Gaming and Churchill Downs Incorporated, have a successful track record of hiring from the local community in every market in which they operate and have committed to hiring local if selected to be Waukegan's casino destination.
"We hire local people for good paying jobs and give them the training and tools to advance their careers in our company," said Neil Bluhm, chairman of Rush Street Gaming. "You have our commitment that if Rivers Waukegan is the winning bidder to build a casino in Waukegan, we will make Waukegan residents a priority in our hiring process."
Rivers Des Plaines is the top grossing casino, and top taxpaying casino in Illinois. This experience of developing and operating the most successful casino in the state is a key benefit to Waukegan and area taxpayers. The proposed 1,625 gaming-seat Rivers Casino Waukegan would create 60 percent more jobs, generate $5 million more in annual local share gaming tax revenue and $1 million more in annual local admissions taxes than the lowest bidder under consideration by city officials.
In addition to the more than 1,200 permanent jobs, Rivers Waukegan will create more than 900 union construction jobs. Once opened, it will bring new visitors to Waukegan who will patronize area businesses and pump more than $150 million into the local Waukegan and Lake County economy annually.
The job forum is open to the public for everyone over age 18. Sessions will begin at 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m. Because the city of Waukegan has not yet made a selection for its casino partner, this is not a hiring event. Rivers Waukegan's job forum will be focused on providing area residents with information about the wide array of careers and opportunities in the fast-paced gaming industry. The Rivers team will educate area residents on the process to get licensed and approved for a career in the gaming industry. No prior experience in gaming is necessary.
In addition to hiring and training from the local community, the Rivers Casino Waukegan team also committed to donating two percent of pre-tax income back to the community through ongoing charitable contributions after opening, which they estimate will average $1 million annually.
"We have the experience to not only bring a world-class entertainment destination to Waukegan, we will be the best partner for the community," said Bill Carstanjen, Chief Executive Officer of Churchill Downs Incorporated. "We will hire local people, afford opportunities to local businesses and give back to the community."
Job forum attendees will hear that Rivers Waukegan would offer careers with benefits, including medical, retirement and tuition reimbursement programs.
"We're very proud of our efforts to work collaboratively with all our team members," said Rush Street Gaming CEO Greg Carlin. "All Rush Street Gaming properties have been voted a Best Place to Work or a Top Workplace.
We have a track record of offering excellent compensation packages, job training and advancement opportunities to our team members."
"And we value diversity," continued Carlin. "At Rivers Des Plaines, 60 percent of our team members are minorities, as well as a third of our property's executive leadership team."