DEKALB, Ill. (AP) – DeKalb County and the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation are moving forward with plans for the tribe to open the first Native American-run gaming facility in Illinois. The county’s Economic Development Committee on Tuesday voted to send the full DeKalb County Board a resolution supporting the tribe’s efforts to have federal officials hold 129 of its acres in trust to build a casino in the town of Shabbona. The tribe’s chairwoman says the land trust isn’t a requirement but having it would help mitigate any future issues.
The (DeKalb) Daily Chronicle reports that tribal leaders estimate the casino would create 400 new jobs. They expect it to attract 930,000 visitors each year and contribute $12 million to the local economy.
The county board is expected to vote on the resolution Aug. 19.
