Chicago Sun-Times: Rosemont threatens to sue Gaming Board over casino license

Jockeying over the state's dormant 10th casino license hit a fever pitch Thursday, with Rosemont threatening to sue the Illinois Gaming Board if the panel doesn't immediately transfer the license to the northwest suburb.

Meanwhile, the company once thought to be a lock to operate a casino in Rosemont took a more subdued approach. Emerald Casino Inc. affirmed its intent to sell the disputed license; proposed ways the state could address concerns about alleged mob taint in Rosemont by creating a McPier-style government authority, and announced ownership changes designed to eliminate alleged wrongdoers from the company.

The maneuvering was sparked by a court ruling last week in which Cook County Judge Sophia Hall affirmed a state appellate court decision that the General Assembly meant exactly what it said when it passed legislation stating that the Gaming Board "shall" transfer the 10th license to a location of Emerald's choosing.

'It's just a game'

The board last month resumed a hearing to revoke the license from Emerald based on the company's past conduct. Both Emerald and Rosemont now believe that hearing -- scheduled to resume July 18 -- is moot.

A Rosemont attorney interrupted Thursday's Gaming Board meeting to make that point but was swiftly rebuked by Chairman Aaron Jaffe, who said the board would take its time in responding to Hall's ruling. Its next meeting is June 29.

"Let me be very frank with you," Jaffe said after the meeting. "I think the appearance today by a lawyer who should know better . . . it's just a game. And quite truthfully what I think they're doing is they're grasping for straws."

But the Rosemont lawyer, David Goroff, emphasized that Hall's ruling is clear: the casino license must go to Rosemont immediately.

Emerald's lawyers raised another scenario: the board could approve Rosemont casino plans in accordance with the ruling, terminate the current revocation proceeding but then turn around and attempt to revoke the license in a new proceeding.

Cognizant of that possibility, Emerald on Wednesday formally rejected two allegedly mob-linked people from being investors in the company. The company's board also declared that former executives Kevin Flynn and Joseph McQuaid would have no role in the casino. All four people were cited in the Gaming Board's original complaint against Emerald.