Also, gaming changed throughout the state. Holmes admitted that could set up a situation where a license holder could pit one town against another, looking for the best incentive deal or other considerations. Holmes was a sponsor because the bill originated from a request by Penn National Gaming, Inc. While the casinos flourished and brought a lot of investment to the downtowns, they did not cause development to spread. The city owns land on the west side of Farnsworth, from Corporate Boulevard to Bilter Road, for which it would like to find a developer. When casino gaming was approved in Illinois in the early s, and came to Aurora in , it was designed to bring economic development to the downtowns of older river cities in the state. In Aurora, the combination of more casinos, the advent of video poker, the smoking ban and other factors slowed casino gaming down a bit. Martin Moylan, D-Des Plaines, a former mayor of Des Plaines who is now sponsoring SB in the House, has been quoted as saying a license holder should be able to take an under-achieving license and move to another town, where it might prosper. It sort of made sense. So, if SB, which passed the Illinois Senate less than two weeks ago, becomes law, there would be no more boats, and no more rivers, in riverboat gaming. No, SB does not end casino gaming โ far from it. It already owned land at Farnsworth and Bilter, so it has assembled a large chunk of land for the potential convention center-hotel-casino development. It seems more likely they can expand economically there, Irvin said. Years ago, the state dropped the requirement that casinos be on an actual boat that could float and cruise on water. That was added because some legislators said a casino license holder should be able to leave a city where they have been unsuccessful and go to another city. Latest Aurora Beacon News. But as it stands now, the move would not be limited to their current city. Recommended on Chicago Tribune. Aurora Beacon News Groups look at help for downtown Aurora businesses impacted by unrest, pandemic.{/INSERTKEYS}{/PARAGRAPH} Linda Holmes, D-Aurora, who was one of the sponsors of the bill. That possibility exists, thanks to a little-known bill that has already passed the Illinois Senate and is now in the House. Still, legislators could try to add some safeguards against that in the final legislation. He mentioned cities like Rockford and Waukegan might be better fits for some current license holders. Originally, the bill was going to allow casinos to move off rivers but stay within the city limits of the city they are already in. Aurora Beacon News Aurora police drop charges after video of arrest spurs backlash. Naperville Sun year-old describes being stabbed while trying to stop looting in Naperville. It now brings in about half of that. The city earlier this year finalized purchase of two motels on the property that it condemned several years ago for a road realignment, and for economic development purposes. But it would allow for casinos to no longer have to be by a river, or in a town that has a river. Aurora extends curfew through weekend. Irvin said the move would be good for Aurora and for Penn National Gaming, as it would put the casino in a more advantageous position for economic growth. With the success of the Des Plaines casino, which is next to an outlet mall, entertainment, hotels and an interstate, Aurora and Penn National Gaming officials believe a similar type of location would be better for Hollywood Casino. Places like Aurora, Joliet, Elgin, Peoria and cities along the Mississippi River encouraged companies to locate along the rivers that flowed through their downtowns. {PARAGRAPH}{INSERTKEYS}Riverboat gaming in Illinois as we know it could be over soon. Aurora police drop charges after video of arrest spurs backlash. David Dorn? They could move to another town. State Rep. Skip to content. Groups look at help for downtown Aurora businesses impacted by unrest, pandemic.