zoeller cast iron sewage pump

Pair of 5s means no deal for Peoria over land-based casino

“I can’t help but say I’m disappointed,” said Mayor Rita Ali

A split Peoria City Council could not agree Monday night on a proposed settlement that would have paid the city millions of dollars over many years to allow a new Par-A-Dice Casino to be built on the other side of the river.

The vote follows a more than 1 1/2-hour debate was five in favor of the settlement and five opposed. A majority was needed to pass the measure.

Half of the council decided to gamble on what could be a lengthy and costly legal battle over the definition of a land-based casino.

“I can’t help but say I’m disappointed,” said Mayor Rita Ali. She was unable to convince a majority to accept the settlement as a “win.” She noted it guaranteed an annual payment to the city in return for dropping objections to Boyd Gaming’s plans for a new casino, close to the current Riverboat casino in East Peoria.

A 1991 intergovernmental agreement stated that a land-based casino would be built in Peoria. At-large Council Member Mike Vespa, who voted for the settlement, acknowledged Boyd Gaming’s plan to pump water under the building is “ridiculous.”

At-large Councilman Zach Oyler noted there are “bad actors” on the other side.

He said the financial settlement is “peanuts” to the money that’s going to be made by the larger casino.

Ali disagreed, noting the city would receive annual payments of an estimated $1.8 million during the life the of the new casino. Those favoring the settlement believed the money could help pay pensions, improve infrastructure, and fund social services.

Ali, Vespa, At-large Councilwoman Bernice Gordon-Young, Denise Jackson from District 1, and Andre Allen from District 4 voted in favor of the settlement.

The no votes came from Oyler, at-large Councilmen John Kelly and Kiran Velpula, Alex Carmona from District 2, and Tim Riggenbach from District 3.

District 5 Councilman Denis Cyr did not attend Monday night’s special meeting.

City Attorney Patrick Hayes estimated the city faces legal costs reaching $1 million a year for a lawsuit, in which the city would find themselves at odds with Boyd Gaming, East Peoria, The State of Illinois, and the Illinois Gaming Board.

The gaming board is expected to consider Boyd Gaming’s East Peoria plans at its meeting on Thursday.