Developers looking to share economic benefits of East Hazel Crest casino with surrounding suburbs
Wind Creek Hospitality plans to share revenues with the Illinois Gaming Board and surrounding south suburban areas through the newly created Southland Public Benefit Fund.
Harvey residents hope the 70,000-square-foot casino coming to nearby East Hazel Crest, right outside of the city’s southernmost border, will bring opportunities to a struggling city.
Developers are leveraging the project, named Wind Creek Chicago Southland, to do just that.
Wind Creek Hospitality plans to share revenue with the Illinois Gaming Board, which approved the developers’ application last December, and surrounding south suburban areas through the newly created Southland Public Benefit Fund.
“Our commitment to this community has already begun and will only be strengthened as we move our focus to job creation and finalizing the details of the Southland Public Benefit Fund,” said Jay Dorris, President and Chief Executive Officer of Wind Creek Hospitality. “People across the Southland have been waiting for this casino and the community investment that comes along with it, and we’re happy to be taking concrete steps to see this dream realized.”
In its first five years, the fund will distribute $150,000 a year in scholarships and health services throughout the south suburbs by partnering with South Suburban College, Prairie State College, Moraine Valley Community College, Advocate South Suburban Hospital, and the Ingalls Development Foundation in Harvey.
Wind Creek, East Hazel Crest, and Homewood will contribute to the fund.
“Wind Creek doesn’t just build casinos, we truly build communities,” said Stephanie Bryan, Tribal Chair and Chief Executive Officer of Poarch Creek Indians. “We’re so very thankful for the support of community leaders, local organizations and residents of the south suburbs who helped get us to this point—and look forward to working with you to ensure that the benefits associated with this project are experienced by the entire region.”
Once the fund accumulates $20 million, that distribution will increase to $1 million annually.
The project features 1,350 slot machines, 56 table games, a 252-room luxury hotel, entertainment, and dining. Developers project 600 construction jobs and 800 long-term jobs as a result.
Developers Wind Creek Hospitality and Poarch Band of Creek Indians marked the start of construction of the casino last week. It will be built right off of Interstate-80 on 175th Street and Halsted Avenue in East Hazel Crest and Homewood. It is slated to open in 2023.
See photos of the groundbreaking and celebration here:
Sign up for The Renaissance Letter, our free email newsletter
Get the latest headlines from the Harvey World Herald right in your inbox.
Amethyst J. Davis is responsible for spearheading the growth and development of the HWH, including outlining the editorial trajectory and content. She also produces “The Renaissance Letter,” our biweekly email newsletter, edits content, and fact-checks stories prior to publication Amethyst was an administrator at New York University before launching her journalism career. She is also a member of the Sounding Board, the community advisory board for Chicago Public Media, which includes WBEZ Chicago and the Chicago Sun-Times.
In 2022, Amethyst was a Casey Fellow with the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) Black News & Views, where she covered health and COVID-19 for the NABJ’s newly launched digital news service. She is a sought after speaker on community journalism and has given talks at institutions like DePaul University and the University of Kansas. Amethyst is a regular guest on City Cast Chicago.
She was invited by Harvard University to submit a 2023 Nieman Lab prediction, which taps the smartest in media and journalism nationwide to offer thoughts on the future of digital media. Under her leadership, the HWH has become one of the nation's most-watched hyperlocal newsrooms. The HWH has received national coverage in publications like Poynter, Harvard University's Nieman Lab, the National Press Journalism Club Institute, and Editor & Publisher.
Amethyst is a Brooks Middle School ('11) and Thornton Township High School alum (‘15) and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from NYU (BA'19). She is an alumni of the Data and Policy Summer Scholar program at the University of Chicago.
More in Business from The Harvey World Herald
Place-based effort to build stronger communities expanding to Harvey with help from 'community quarterbacks'
The forthcoming Transforming Places Harvey Neighborhood Network will be a three-year effort to identify needs, build, and implement solutions for a thriving Harvey. Backed by funding from a major Chicago-based nonprofit, two trusted Harvey community organizations are launching a resident-led steering committee to help.
Harvey awarded $1.6 million in second round of federal ARPA funds
Municipalities can use the funds allocated through the American Rescue Plan Act on a range of items, like upgrades to water, sewer, or broadband infrastructure, costs of responding to COVID-19, or the negative impacts of COVID-19 on small businesses, essential workers, or households.
Harvey Pace Bus Transportation Center renovation getting $20 million in federal funding
Thanks to $20 million in funding from the United States Department of Transportation, the station will get better weather protection for commuters, restrooms, and an interior waiting area.
Phase two of 154th Street rehabilitation gets $400,000 boost for pavement and stormwater improvements
With the funds, the city will renovate stretches of pavement between Wood Street and Broadway Avenue. The city will also replace parts of the sewer line along Wood Street.
The Harvey World Herald joins forces with Indiegraf to accelerate audience and revenue growth
The collaboration is part of a larger effort to build a strong foundation as we rebuild local news in Harvey.
Metra, city officials break ground on $20 million 147th Street station renovation project
Officials touted the rehabilitation as part of a collaborative effort that would improve public transportation access for south suburban commuters and make Harvey more economically competitive.
Construction on 147th Metra station to begin next month. Here's what you need to know
The station will be closed for 12 to 15 months as the project is underway, officials announced Monday.
Anti-poverty organization holding resource fair this Saturday at Gloria Taylor Center
The Community Economic Development Association will join 20 other organizations that assist with jobs, senior services, housing, and more.
Free gas coming to the suburbs Thursday — including Harvey. Here's where you can fill up.
Inflation and soaring gas prices are spurring businessman Willie Wilson to give away $1 million worth of free gas to drivers across the Chicago area.
With a $1.5 million boost, one Harvey organization seeks to ramp up jobs, mentorship, leadership programming
Staff at the Harvey location for Community Economic Development Association of Cook County spent months hearing from residents to develop new anti-poverty programming.
S2 Express Grill, Harvey's second full sitdown restaurant, marks the start of a new chapter in the city's restaurant scene
"It's been a long time coming," co-owners Andre and Suheir Williams said at the packed grand opening event.
Received unemployment insurance in 2021? Don't forget to file this important tax form
The tax form required for unemployment insurance recipients, a 1099-G, is now available.
Decline in sales, increased property taxes behind Walgreens exit, company leadership says
For nearly a year, many residents remained confused about Walgreens decision to close up their only remaining Harvey location.
The 147th Street Metra station slated for a $13 million renovation beginning in spring 2022
The overhaul marks the station's first in 30 years, Metra officials say.
