Summer Opening of South Suburban Casino on Track

A south suburban casino is making progress towards its summer opening, with the East Hazel Crest building being worked on to get it “under roof” before winter weather arrives. Roger Kuehn, the executive vice president and general manager for Wind Creek Chicago Southland, stated that the construction is on track for an opening sometime between July and September 2024.

The casino, southwest of the interchange of Interstate 80 and Halsted Street, is recognizable for its 16-story, 252-room hotel. The structure’s steel framework is expected to be completed in about three weeks, marking a significant milestone in the project. Kuehn mentioned that the original 21-story height of the tower was reduced due to the high cost of materials such as steel.

Construction on the casino will be finished between the middle of next month and early January, before the harshest winter weather hits. Once the casino building is enclosed, work will proceed on the interior of the structure, including plumbing, electrical, and computer systems. The hotel is scheduled to open about four or five months after the casino welcomes customers.

The broader footprint of the casino extends into both East Hazel Crest and Homewood, with the casino and hotel in the former and parking garages in the latter. The area was formerly home to two hotels, the Sheraton (later the Homewood Hotel) in Homewood and a Super 8 in East Hazel Crest, both of which were demolished.

The casino will feature 1,350 slot machines and 56 table games, as well as a 13,000-square-foot buffet area and a 10,000-square-foot entertainment area. Wind Creek estimates that the project will create approximately 800 permanent jobs once completed. They plan to host job fairs a couple of months before the opening date.

Kuehn shared that local community leaders are eagerly awaiting the casino’s opening and are looking forward to the concerts and gaming opportunities it will offer. The exciting prospect for the community has solidified the casino’s place as a pivotal contributor to the local economy.