Last week, Governor JB Pritzker signed into law the Gambling-Project Labor Agreement for Illinois, impacting new casino projects and construction workers.
Bill SB 1360 mandates that casino applicants must utilize project labor agreements when applying for or renewing a license.
One of the primary objectives of the legislation is to ensure that casino construction jobs remain in Illinois. The bill specifically prohibits lower-wage workers from out-of-state from filling these positions. According to Pritzker, this measure is crucial to protecting local employment opportunities.
Since the start of this administration, the focus has been on increasing economic opportunities through quality employment. SB 1360 fulfills this commitment by implementing a process that guarantees the safety and well-being of all dedicated individuals.
Game applicants must now provide proof of a job work agreement and submit it to the Illinois Gaming Board (IGB) within 30 days of the project start date.
State Senator Rachelle Crowe of Glen Carbon, representing the Democratic party, announced:
Illinois is focused on job creation and retention of high-paying jobs in downstate areas through this program. We must show appreciation to our local labor unions for their dedication by honoring our commitments to them.
The act includes the following conditions:
- Women and underrepresented minorities are required to complete tasks on certain days.
- Protection against strikes and shutdowns.
- Guarantees a reliable pool of experienced and skilled workers.
- Enables the selection of the most reliable bid that meets the minimum qualifications.
What brand-new games will Illinois see?
The new law in Illinois is not a coincidence, as it coincides with the expected surge of new game development in the state over the next 50 years.
The 2019 gaming legislation permitted the establishment of six new casinos in Illinois, which will be located in the following regions:
- Rockford
- County of Williamson
- Waukegan
- Danville
- neighbourhoods in the southern
- Chicago
The IGB has carefully assessed the software, and after some time, there has been noticeable progress in recent decades.
In February, the board deemed Hard Rock Casino Rockford as “preliminarily suitable” for a license, just one step away from final approval.
Last week, IGB declared that the Walker’s Bluff Casino in Williamson County is also preliminarily suitable.
The two casinos could receive final approval in the upcoming months, with more information about eligibility possibly becoming available during that period.
SB 1360 will impact all of these design jobs.
However, the act also includes provisions for the renewal of casino licenses. Below are the top ten casinos currently operating in the Land of Lincoln:
- Alton Argosy Casino
- The Queen Casino featuring DraftKings
- Elgin Grand Victoria Casino
- Joliet’s Harrah’s Casino
- Harrah’s Casino City
- Aurora Hollywood Casino
- Joliet at the Hollywood Casino location
- Jumer’s Casino and Hotel
- The Par-A-Dice Blackjack game.
- Casino Rivers
Illinois has now fully reopened as of June 11, allowing casinos in the state to operate at full capacity.
Another Illinois gambling issues aren’t getting many attention.
Following the May treatment, SB 1360 became the most crucial piece of gambling legislation to be passed.
The House approved a bill allowing betting on in-state college teams, limited to retail wagering locations. The Senate has not voted on it yet.
The House should aim to pass the bill with a 96-11 majority before the college sports season begins, considering its upcoming presentation in the Senate.
Regarding other gaming matters, such as online casino and the in-person sports betting registration requirement, there was not a lot of activity.
In the immediate future, the Senate approved a resolution requesting a study on the potential revenue generated by online casinos in Illinois if they had been legalized before COVID-19.
The online casino games were not successful in this program, but there are indications that legislation for future sessions is progressing.
