Brockton officials recommend casino zoning district

City officials are moving toward approving zoning changes at the proposed casino site, while also considering how to reflect a more comprehensive entertainment district.
The Planning Board favorably recommended Tuesday night that the City Council adopt new zoning rules at the site of the proposed $650 million casino. Developer Mass Gaming & Entertainment, an affiliate of Chicago-based Rush Street Gaming, filed a zoning ordinance with the council in March called a “resort casino overlay district.”

The district, if approved, would be superimposed over the current zoning at the Brockton Fairgrounds, where Rush Street is proposing to construct a 250,000-square-foot gambling facility, seven-story hotel, event and entertainment space and 3,000 parking spots.popular casinos

It will now go before the council’s ordinance committee, which is scheduled to meet May 27. The full council must approve the changes before they take effect.Local officials have advanced a plan for a resort and casino on the site of a Southern Illinois winery.

The Southern Illinoisan reports the Williamson County board on Friday approved the $180 million expansion for Walker’s Bluff winery near Carterville.

Construction will begin on the first phase of the project once it receives final approval from the Illinois Gaming Board, which could take up to a year.

Owners Cynde and David Bunch have worked for years to create a destination resort on the family’s land about 105 miles (169 kilometers) southeast of St. Louis.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed legislation earlier this year to expand gambling in Illinois. It included a casino license for the Walker’s Bluff project, which Pritzker says will boost economic development in Southern Illinois.