Peoria moves to drop lawsuit over new Par-A-Dice Casino plans
Peoria is dropping its lawsuit against Boyd Gaming after the company shifted its casino plans to a barge on the Illinois River.Summary
The city of Peoria is dropping its lawsuit against Boyd Gaming, the Illinois Gaming Board, and East Peoria following Boyd Gaming’s decision to build a new casino on a barge in the Illinois River instead of on land. Peoria’s lawsuit stemmed from a 1991 agreement stating any land-based casino must be located in Peoria. Boyd Gaming’s new barge plan does not violate state law or the intergovernmental agreement. The city had previously rejected a settlement offer from Boyd Gaming that would have provided Peoria with 2.25% of gaming revenues, estimated at $1.8 million annually. Boyd Gaming’s swift change in plans, announced on February 5th, surprised Peoria officials, raising questions about whether the barge plan was always an alternative. The Illinois Gaming Board is scheduled to vote on the new proposal on February 26th, and Peoria has stated it will reinstate the lawsuit if Boyd Gaming reverts to plans for a land-based casino.
(Source：Peoria Journal Star)