In the midwestern American state of Illinois and local investment group 815 Entertainment LLC has reportedly been given official regulatory consent to begin constructing its temporary casino for the city of Rockford.

According to a Friday report from local television broadcaster WIFR-TV, the move came some two weeks after the Illinois Gaming Board approved the conglomerate’s list of investors and signed off on its larger plan to bring the more permanent Hard Rock Casino Rockford property to the Winnebago County city. The source detailed that the group will now begin transforming the 8,500 sq ft Giovanni’s Restaurant and Convention Center into a gambling-friendly enterprise that could be open complete with approximately 750 slots by the end of September.

Enduring heir:

In the meantime, the broadcaster reported that 815 Entertainment LLC is to continue work on realizing the $310 million Hard Rock Casino Rockford less than a mile away at the site of the former three-star Clock Tower Resort and Conference Center. This more permanent facility is purportedly expected to premiere during the latter half of 2023 featuring a 1,600-seat music venue alongside a 65,000 sq ft gaming floor offering a selection of around 1,500 slots as well as some 55 gaming tables.

Legislative legacy:

Tom McNamara serves as the mayor for Rockford, which is located about 90 miles west of Chicago, and he reportedly explained that 815 Entertainment LLC could invest in the region of $8 million into bringing its temporary casino to life with the facility then set to run until the debut of his community’s much larger Hard Rock Casino Rockford. The 38-year-old Democrat purportedly moreover disclosed that the coming large gambling-friendly establishment is one of six that were authorized via the passage of legislation in summer of 2019 and will moreover feature a sportsbook in addition to a 110-foot sign themed around the guitar of legendary Cheap Trick front-man and area resident Rick Nielsen.

McNamara reportedly told WIFR-TV…

“815 Entertainment LLC has been given the green light to begin construction of our temporary Hard Rock casino. Of the six casinos that were approved in the casino expansion bill in 2019, we are the first to begin construction. This is a huge accomplishment.”

Ceaseless campaign:

Illinois State Senator Dave Syverson represents the district that is to host the coming Hard Rock Casino Rockford and the Republican reportedly proclaimed that he is ‘very excited’ that the casino project ‘has finally been given the green light to move forward’ after much effort.

Syverson reportedly told the broadcaster…

“For more than 20 years, I have worked to bring this project to fruition, knowing that it will have such a positive economic impact locally. After so long, it is very rewarding to see this project gain real momentum.”