ROCKFORD — Hard Rock Casino Rockford took another major step toward becoming a reality Wednesday as Illinois Gaming Board officials approved a series of key businesses, executives, managers and owners needed to operate the casino.
Among those winning approval were Hard Rock International LLC CEO James Allen, Hard Rock Chief Operating Officer Jon Lucas and Dotty’s gambling café chain owner Dan Fischer, who is the chief investor behind the project.
Last month, the Gaming Board gave a green light for a proposed temporary casino that will open in the former location of Giovanni’s Restaurant and Convention Center, 610 N. Bell School Road. Construction of the $8.8 million temporary casino at the 37,790-square-foot location is expected to be complete within in 90 to 120 days. It is expected to feature 736 slot machines and two restaurants.
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Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara said an extraordinary amount of “work, time and energy” went on behind the scenes to bring the casino project to this point.
The temporary casino is expected to operate for about two years while the permanent, $311 million Hard Rock Casino Rockford is under construction. That project must still obtain further permission before construction can begin at the entrance to Interstate 90 and East State Street at the former location of the Clock Tower Resort.
Additional businesses associated with the proposed Hard Rock Casino, key persons, managers and…
