Wind Creek Casino Boosts Revenue for Over 40 Suburban Towns
Wind Creek Casino’s Impact on Suburban Communities
Since the opening of Wind Creek Chicago Southland last year, 43 towns in the south and southwest suburbs have each received a substantial share of casino-generated revenue, totaling $118,154 per town. Additionally, two other municipalities have obtained even higher amounts, reflecting the casino’s broad economic influence on the region.
How Casino Funds Support Local Towns
Many local governments in the area operate with limited budgets and depend on the casino income to bolster their pension funds. According to East Hazel Crest Village President Thomas Brown, the revenue stream not only supports pensions but also helps attract new business opportunities to these communities.
State regulations mandate that 5% of the casino’s revenue be distributed among the surrounding localities. Of this, 2% is shared between East Hazel Crest and Homewood, the two towns hosting the casino—East Hazel Crest contains most of the casino facility while Homewood encompasses its parking garage. The remaining 3% is split evenly each month among 43 neighboring municipalities. The allocated funds are specifically designated for capital improvements or pension-related expenses.
Local Examples of Casino Revenue Use
One recipient town, Flossmoor, uses its portion of the casino funds to invest in road resurfacing projects. Mayor Michelle Nelson shared that the increased revenue has exceeded initial projections, providing a meaningful though limited budget supplement. While the funds do not fully cover large-scale projects, they remain a valuable resource for infrastructure maintenance.
Mayor Nelson explained that repaving a mile of road, including repairs to sidewalks and curbs, can cost up to $500,000. Although Flossmoor’s monthly share of about $100,000 does not cover this expense entirely, it allows the village to resurface approximately a quarter of a mile of roadway and address sidewalk repairs effectively.
Wind Creek’s Rapid Growth and Ranking
Since receiving its license in 2024, Wind Creek has swiftly established itself as a leading casino in Illinois. Data from the Illinois Gaming Board, covering November 2024 through October 2025, showed the venue earned $186,677,513 in gross revenue. This places Wind Creek second among 16 casinos statewide, just behind Rivers Casino Des Plaines, which reported over $500 million in adjusted gross revenue during the same timeframe.
Wind Creek also ranked second in attendance, attracting more than 2 million visitors, compared to Rivers Casino’s over 3 million attendees. Since its opening, the casino expanded its amenities by launching a hotel for guests in April. Plans are underway to add an event center and host concerts, initiatives anticipated to further increase tax income and bolster the casino’s economic contribution to the area.
