If the proposal for a resort at Walker's Bluff in southern Illinois is to move forward this legislative session, it will require a new strategy.
Both the gaming sub-committee meeting and House session opened and closed Friday without passing HB 5146 in order to meet the legislature's deadline for substantive bills.
The facility is seeking a gaming license from the state for an on-site casino as part of its proposed resort-expansion, but the $175 million privately-funded project will not proceed without the license -which can't be granted until the required legislation is passed.
Walker's Bluff CEO and Founder Cynde Bunch says she's not giving up.
"I'll be back up in Springfield and we'll still be standing there, waiting on this. This is too important for the southern Illinois region. The amount of growth and the amount of tourism dollars it would bring to the area is just too essential."
The Resort at Walker's Bluff proposal includes two hotels, a full-scale concert/convention center, an indoor waterpark, restaurants and a casino.
