Court of Appeals Sides with Waukegan Casino Development in Illinois

Late in January, the Illinois Supreme Court dismissed a lawsuit filed by the Forest County Potawatomi Tribe that stalled the efforts of a permanent Waukegan casino.

While Full House Results holds a casino license in the state and has been operating its temporary American Place casino in Waukegan for two years, the company’s efforts to develop a permanent venue reached a standstill due to the Potawatomi Tribe’s legal challenge.

However, after a recent court decision, the years-long legal hurdle is likely resolved once and for all, enabling Full House to continue its plan for the building of a permanent American Place in Waukegan.

Full House Resorts Is Pleased with the Appellate Court’s Recent Decision

In a major move that reaffirmed Waukegan City’s stance in the legal battle, the US Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit unanimously rejected an appeal filed by the Potawatomi Tribe. The Tribe argued that the certification process organized by the Waukegan City Council was unfair as it was excluded from the list of candidates.

Subsequently, the Potawatomi Tribe filed two lawsuits. Those lawsuits effectively impacted Full House’s plans to develop a permanent American Place casino. Still, the company was permitted to operate from its temporary venue in Waukegan for a couple of years since.

The latest development in the legal battle brought excitement for Full House Resorts. The company’s SVP and chief development officer, Alex Stolyar, who was interviewed by the Chicago Tribune, revealed that he is “very pleased with the result.”

The executive argued that the Tribe didn’t have any ground for their lawsuits in the first place. Finally, Stolyar explained that after the US Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit’s recent decision, Full House can now proceed with drawings for the project and discuss it with architects. Still, the executive didn’t confirm when the company plans to break ground for the project.

“We’re moving forward with the architects and drawings so we can get going.“

Alex Stolyar, SVP and chief development officer at Full House Resorts

The Tribe Can Consider Rehearing, Taking the Case to the US Supreme Court

While the Appeals Court’s recent decision is likely to have put an end to the legal battle, this doesn’t mean that the Potawatomi Tribe doesn’t have other options. Stewart J. Weiss, a Corporation Counsel for the City of Waukegan and attorney for Elrod Friedman, recognized the latest decision as the “right outcome” of this legal battle.

He added that the litigation “never should have been brought in the first place.” According to Weiss, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals highlighted that Waukegan City’s selection process was “open, fair and based on facts.”

He added that despite the recent rejection of the Tribe’s appeal, they can ask for a rehearing of their case. Alternatively, the Potawatomi Tribe may also try to put the case in front of the US Supreme Court. However, Weiss considers both efforts to be unlikely.