Casino proposal on way to Des Plaines Plan Commission

The Des Plaines Plan Commission will review preliminary designs for the city's much-anticipated new casino at its Jan. 25 meeting.

The casino is targeted for roughly 21 acres fronting the Tri-State Tollway at the northwest corner of Devon Avenue and River Road.

The initial development plan calls for 45,000 square feet of gaming space within a single-level casino, seven restaurants and bars, and roughly 2,100 parking spaces. The total project cost is $1 billion, which includes construction of two hotels and retail space in later phases of development.

Casino construction could begin in March. The casino could open about 16 months later in late summer/early fall 2011.

"We're really excited," said Greg Carlin, CEO of Midwest Gaming & Entertainment, casino developer. "We think it's going to be a terrific project. We have a great food and beverage program with lots of exciting concepts and interesting design."

Carlin would not divulge names of prospective restaurants.

In 2008, Midwest Gaming & Entertainment won the state's 10th and final casino license, which had been bogged down for years in legal and administrative disputes. Des Plaines was chosen over Rosemont and Waukegan.

The Illinois Gaming Board's investigation into the finances, connections and dealings of the Chicago-based developer should be nearing the end. It involves background checks of existing and potential managers and key players with Midwest Gaming and the future casino. The board must find Midwest Gaming "suitable" before work can begin.

The city council has yet to come up with a strategy for how casino revenues would be spent. Officials have said they would like to use the money to improve infrastructure, for flood control, and to pay down the city's debt.

Des Plaines expected to receive about $25 million a year from the casino, but revenue expectations have dropped with the economic downturn. Whatever the receipts, the city must give $10 million a year to the state as part of the deal that landed the license, and 40 percent of the remainder will go to economically depressed towns in Cook County.

The plan commission meeting begins at 7 p.m.