logo
East Peoria mayor firm in stance on future of Par-A-Dice Casino, blasts Peoria

East Peoria mayor firm in stance on future of Par-A-Dice Casino, blasts Peoria

Yahoo01-03-2025
East Peoria Mayor John Kahl is steadfast in his stance that the city of Peoria is potentially straining the relationship between the two cities by its continued pursuit to lure the Par-A-Dice Casino to its side of the Illinois River.
Kahl said as much to an audience at the Par-A-Dice Casino Hotel on Friday during his State of the City address in which he said he knew the emails he sent to Peoria Mayor Rita Ali about the casino would go public. In those emails he said Peoria was threatening to "forever strain" the relationship between the two cities, and on Friday he told the East Peoria audience at the casino that he stuck by those words.
Kahl said during his speech that East Peoria would "protect" the rights of private businesses to make their own decisions and the city would not tell businesses "what to do" or "where you have to be," appearing to take a veiled shot at Peoria for its efforts to bring Boyd Gaming to its city.
Kahl told reporters after his speech that he would support whatever decision Boyd Gaming makes on the location of its planned new casino.
"Boyd, whatever their decision is they take in front of the gaming board, and they approve it," Kahl said. "That's their decision to make. I've made myself clear to Boyd a couple years back when all of this kicked up if you will, what East Peoria's position is. We've had a great partnership with them, and I like to think that speaks volumes."
Kahl, too, voiced his displeasure with Peoria's efforts, which have included showing Boyd Gaming at least three possible locations it could build a new land-based casino.
"Let Peoria keep running their mouth on whatever they hope to do, hope to see, can't speak for them," Kahl said.
More: 'David vs Goliath': How East Peoria won the riverboat casino battle three decades ago
A rift between leadership in Peoria and East Peoria has been growing for months after Boyd Gaming signaled last year that it was planning to build a new casino facility somewhere in the Peoria area.
Boyd Gaming has operated the Par-A-Dice Riverboat Casino in East Peoria since 1993.
However, where the battle seen between East Peoria and Peoria today stems from is a 1991 agreement signed between the two municipalities that dictated that if a land-based casino were to ever be built in the region, it would have to be on Peoria's side of the river.
Last year when Boyd signaled it would be building a new casino — one that would likely be land-based — Peoria began an effort to entice the company to its side of the river and remind it of the terms of the 1991 agreement.
Kahl, however, believes that Peoria is overstepping and is ignoring the benefit the casino brings to the region as a whole. Currently the gaming tax revenues generated by the casino are split equally between the two cities.
"I think a lot of people have this misconception about the Par-A-Dice," Kahl said Friday. "The revenues are split 50% on each side. I don't know why they can't wrap their arms around that. Boyd has really done a tremendous job of supporting this entire region, and I hope people understand that."
However, all the other taxes — such as those generated by property taxes, sales taxes and hotel taxes — stay in the host city.
Kahl called Peoria's comments on the matter "nonsense."
"There's a benefit to this region and for some reason, they don't see the benefit apparently based on some of their comments, which are nonsense," Kahl said. "Boyd's done a good job of supporting this entire region, and I can't say enough good things about the entire company."
Boyd Gaming's CEO Keith Smith told shareholders in January that Boyd hoped to build a casino with an estimated price tag of $100 million to replace the Par-A-Dice Riverboat Casino in East Peoria. He said they hoped construction could begin in early 2026.
More: Peoria, Boyd Gaming have discussed potential locations for a land-based casino
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: East Peoria mayor says Peoria's casino comments are 'nonsense'
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Boeing machinists who build fighter jets reject contract, plan strike
Boeing machinists who build fighter jets reject contract, plan strike

UPI

timean hour ago

  • UPI

Boeing machinists who build fighter jets reject contract, plan strike

A large American flag is hoisted behind a Boeing F/A-18 E1 Super Hornet jet before dedication ceremonies at the National Museum of Transportation in Kirkwood, Mo., on August 3, 2024. Machinists at three plants in the St. Louis area the product fight jets rejected a contract. File Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | License Photo July 27 (UPI) -- Several thousand Boeing union workers at three St. Louis-area plants who build fighter jets are planning to go on strike after rejecting a proposed contract Sunday that would pay an average of than $100,000 per year. Members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers at Boeing factories in St. Louis and St. Charles in Missouri and Mascoutah in Illinois voted against the new contract that included a 20% wage increase over four years. The contract for District 837 members will expire at 11:59 p.m. CDT at which point there is a seven-day cooling-off period before a strike could start. In all, there are 16,000 employees at the three locations, according to St. Louis Business Journal Research. "IAM Union members delivered a clear message: the proposal from Boeing Defense fell short of addressing the priorities and sacrifices of the skilled IAM Union workforce," the union said in a news release. "Our members are standing together to demand a contract that respects their work and ensures a secure future." Boeing and the union representing the machinists on Thursday reached an agreement on a four-year contract that would boost annual salaries to $102,600 with an 8% increase in the first year and 4% for the other three years. "This contract puts money in members' pockets, protects healthcare access, and ensures our members have a voice in future health decisions all while respecting the skill and dedication IAM workers bring to Boeing's critical defense programs," IAM Union International President Brian Bryant said after the tentative contract. The total increase would be 40% when including other benfits. There was a $5,000 ratification bonus. Boeing said the current average hourly pay of $35 is $6 higher than three years ago. "The IAM Union remains committed to achieving a fair contract that meets the needs of our members," the union said. "The IAM Union looks forward to returning to the bargaining table with Boeing's leadership to deliver meaningful improvements that support the well-being and livelihoods of IAM members and their families." IAM, with approximately 600,000 active and retired workers, is one of North America's largest and most diverse industrial trade unions. They represent workers in aerospace/airlines, defense, shipbuilding, railroads/transit, healthcare and automotive in the United States and Canada. "We're disappointed our employees voted down the richest contract offer we've ever presented to IAM 837 which addressed all their stated priorities," Dan Gillian, Boeing Air Dominance vice President, said in a statement, obtained by KSDK-TV. "We've activated our contingency plan and are focused on preparing for a strike. No talks are scheduled with the union." Last year, Boeing machinists in the Pacific Northwest were in a 54-day strike that shut down airplane production. Ultimately, they agreed to an immediate pay boost of 13% and a total of 44% over four years when compounded. Boeing has more than 170,000 employees worldwide. The vote came two days before Boeing plans to announce its second-quarter earnings.

IBM Stock Downgraded to $310 Target — But Bank of America Still Says Buy
IBM Stock Downgraded to $310 Target — But Bank of America Still Says Buy

Yahoo

time12 hours ago

  • Yahoo

IBM Stock Downgraded to $310 Target — But Bank of America Still Says Buy

International Business Machines Corporation (NYSE:IBM) is one of the . On July 24, Bank of America reiterated the stock as 'Buy' and lowered the firm's price target on IBM (IBM) to $310 from $320 following a 'mixed quarter.' The bank said that IBM is well-positioned for growth following its most recent financial report. The company reported adjusted earnings per share of $2.80 for the quarter, beating the LSEG estimate of $2.64. Meanwhile, revenue came in at $16.98 billion, ahead of the expected $16.59 billion. 'IBM reported a mixed quarter, where organic software deceleration was offset by strong contribution from better-than-expected Infrastructure results and higher M & A contribution.' A closeup of a woman's hands typing rapidly on a laptop in a corporate office setting. The firm believes that, post-earnings, IBM has turned into a 'show me' story on software in the second half of the year, but remains bullish on the overall company trajectory. The analysts further stated that they believe estimates will move higher this year and next year, 'with increasing contribution from high-margin software.' International Business Machines Corporation (NYSE:IBM) is a multinational technology company and a pioneer in artificial intelligence, offering AI consulting services and a suite of AI software products. While we acknowledge the potential of IBM as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. READ NEXT: and . Disclosure: None. Sign in to access your portfolio

IBM Stock Downgraded to $310 Target — But Bank of America Still Says Buy
IBM Stock Downgraded to $310 Target — But Bank of America Still Says Buy

Yahoo

time12 hours ago

  • Yahoo

IBM Stock Downgraded to $310 Target — But Bank of America Still Says Buy

International Business Machines Corporation (NYSE:IBM) is one of the . On July 24, Bank of America reiterated the stock as 'Buy' and lowered the firm's price target on IBM (IBM) to $310 from $320 following a 'mixed quarter.' The bank said that IBM is well-positioned for growth following its most recent financial report. The company reported adjusted earnings per share of $2.80 for the quarter, beating the LSEG estimate of $2.64. Meanwhile, revenue came in at $16.98 billion, ahead of the expected $16.59 billion. 'IBM reported a mixed quarter, where organic software deceleration was offset by strong contribution from better-than-expected Infrastructure results and higher M & A contribution.' A closeup of a woman's hands typing rapidly on a laptop in a corporate office setting. The firm believes that, post-earnings, IBM has turned into a 'show me' story on software in the second half of the year, but remains bullish on the overall company trajectory. The analysts further stated that they believe estimates will move higher this year and next year, 'with increasing contribution from high-margin software.' International Business Machines Corporation (NYSE:IBM) is a multinational technology company and a pioneer in artificial intelligence, offering AI consulting services and a suite of AI software products. While we acknowledge the potential of IBM as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. READ NEXT: and . Disclosure: None.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store