Details: Friday, July 28, 2023 09:50 AM

Stadelman announces license approval for sportsbook at Hard Rock casino

Rockford casino-goers soon will be able to wager on sporting events now that the Illinois Gaming Board has approved a sportsbook for the Hard Rock, State Senator Steve Stadelman announced Thursday.

"Sports betting has become more popular in the last couple of years, and this will make the Hard Rock Casino a more attractive entertainment draw for the region,” Stadelman said. “Keeping the business in Illinois and in Rockford specifically gives residents the new opportunity to participate in sports betting locally and gives our area more economic opportunities.”

Casino gambling, video gaming and sports wagering generated more than $1.4 billion in tax revenue to the state and local communities in calendar year 2022.

“With millions of dollars in casino revenue going to local governments and the casino generating revenue for other business in the area, this is a win for Rockford.”

Hard Rock is expected to offer sportsbook at its temporary casino on Bell School Road in a couple of months. The permanent casino on East State Street at the Interstate 90 interchange is slated to open after construction is complete around Labor Day 2024.

$38 million coming to Rockford to run clean-energy jobs hub

Rockford is one of 13 cities statewide receiving $37.9 million in funding under the Illinois Climate and Equitable Jobs Act to operate workforce hubs, State Senator Steve Stadelman announced this week.

These hubs, which represent the largest training component of the 900-page CEJA legislation Stadelman supported in 2021, will offer job certifications, placement services, barrier reduction support and more. Non-profit organizations, community colleges or local governments will be selected to run the hubs through a competitive Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) process.

"A 100-percent, carbon-free future is the ultimate goal of CEJA," Stadelman said. "We get there by building strong career paths for those who want to break into this growing industry."

Statewide, an estimated 1,500 participants are expected to enroll during the first year, with capacity increasing over the course of the program. Hub services will be provided free of charge, and trainees will receive a stipend.

In case you missed me on Facebook ...

Steve Stadelman
Yesterday at 11:24 AM

I very much enjoyed reminiscing about the late Rockford Ald. Tuffy Quinonez yesterday with his daughter, Martine Guerrero, and his grandsons, Dominic and Angelino Guerrero. The Illinois Senate passed a resolution honoring Tuffy for his many contributions to our community, but the vote didn't occur in time for the resolution to be presented at his funeral. In addition to his tenure on the Rockford City Council, Tuffy was the first Latino to be elected to the Winnebago County Board. He served in the U.S. Army, and his father, Ted, is one of the area's few living World War II veterans.

Steve Stadelman
July 25 at 11:35 PM

Congratulations

to Rock River Valley Blood Center on today's unveiling of its new bloodmobile, which is replacing a 23-year-old pink model. The retiring pink bus made 100 blood drives in 2000, increasing to more than 500 runs in recent years. RRVBC collects more than 30,000 units of blood and provides 90,000 patients with blood products annually.