Friday, March 25, 2011
Rivers Casino
Rivers Casino
That’s the name of the new Des Plaines casino and entertainment complex that will open this summer near the corner of River Road and Devon Avenue. Since last spring, readers of the Journal & Topics Newspapers have been eagerly awaiting the unveiling of the new name. The newspaper chain asked readers to submit suggested names and they responded with hundreds of entries. Over the next few days the Journal & Topics will comb through those name suggestions and identify those who submitted the name “Rivers Casino.” They will be sent restaurant gift certificates from the Journal & Topics.
Rivers Casino will become the first casino complex built in the Chicago area in more than a decade, announced Midwest Gaming and Entertainment, LLC.
As reported exclusively in the Wednesday, Mar. 23 Journal & Topics, Midwest’s first job information fair for Rivers Casino will be held on Friday, Apr. 8 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, 5555 N. River Rd., Rosemont.
Rivers Casino will create approximately 1,000 permanent jobs—from management positions to dealers, restaurant personnel and more. The job fair will provide a chance to learn more about the casino complex and to meet the Rivers Casino management team. However, no paper applications or resumes will be accepted at the job fair. Job seekers are asked to apply online at http://www.riverscasino.net/.
The name for Rivers Casino represents the location of the complex near the Des Plaines River and its “green” elements incorporated throughout the attraction. The $445 million Rivers Casino is expected to generate millions in annual gambling tax revenue that will benefit the State of Illinois, the City of Des Plaines and the Chicagoland area. The structure will house 1,200 gambling positions, and several restaurants and bars including Hugo's Frog Bar and Chop House prime steaks and chops, fresh seafood and an extensive wine list. Moreover, the Rivers Casino is on track to be the first casino in the nation to be LEED certified (Leadership in Environmental and Energy Design) for its green design, materials and practices.
In addition to job hunters, interested vendors should visit http://www.riverscasino.net , to learn about business opportunities. Midwest Gaming is a partnership between affiliates of Neil Bluhm and Clairvest Group Inc. Once construction is completed, the property will feature a 43,000 sq. ft. casino floor with 1,200 gambling positions and 30,000 sq. ft. of food and beverage venues.
That’s the name of the new Des Plaines casino and entertainment complex that will open this summer near the corner of River Road and Devon Avenue. Since last spring, readers of the Journal & Topics Newspapers have been eagerly awaiting the unveiling of the new name. The newspaper chain asked readers to submit suggested names and they responded with hundreds of entries. Over the next few days the Journal & Topics will comb through those name suggestions and identify those who submitted the name “Rivers Casino.” They will be sent restaurant gift certificates from the Journal & Topics.
Rivers Casino will become the first casino complex built in the Chicago area in more than a decade, announced Midwest Gaming and Entertainment, LLC.
As reported exclusively in the Wednesday, Mar. 23 Journal & Topics, Midwest’s first job information fair for Rivers Casino will be held on Friday, Apr. 8 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, 5555 N. River Rd., Rosemont.
Rivers Casino will create approximately 1,000 permanent jobs—from management positions to dealers, restaurant personnel and more. The job fair will provide a chance to learn more about the casino complex and to meet the Rivers Casino management team. However, no paper applications or resumes will be accepted at the job fair. Job seekers are asked to apply online at http://www.riverscasino.net/.
The name for Rivers Casino represents the location of the complex near the Des Plaines River and its “green” elements incorporated throughout the attraction. The $445 million Rivers Casino is expected to generate millions in annual gambling tax revenue that will benefit the State of Illinois, the City of Des Plaines and the Chicagoland area. The structure will house 1,200 gambling positions, and several restaurants and bars including Hugo's Frog Bar and Chop House prime steaks and chops, fresh seafood and an extensive wine list. Moreover, the Rivers Casino is on track to be the first casino in the nation to be LEED certified (Leadership in Environmental and Energy Design) for its green design, materials and practices.
In addition to job hunters, interested vendors should visit http://www.riverscasino.net , to learn about business opportunities. Midwest Gaming is a partnership between affiliates of Neil Bluhm and Clairvest Group Inc. Once construction is completed, the property will feature a 43,000 sq. ft. casino floor with 1,200 gambling positions and 30,000 sq. ft. of food and beverage venues.
Southbound I-294 Ramp (Touhy Ave. East Ramp)/S. of Touhy/River Intersection Closed 3/21-4/21
For more information call 847-391-5312/March 18, 2011
Southbound I-294 Ramp (Touhy Ave. East Ramp)/S. of Touhy/River Intersection Closed 3/21-4/21
for immediate release
The Des Plaines Public Works and Engineering Department has announced that the southbound I-294 ramp (the Touhy Avenue East Ramp), south of the Touhy Avenue/River Road Intersection, will be closed from 4 AM, Monday, March 21, 2011- Thursday, April 21, 2011, as part of the River Road Reconstruction project.
A detour will be posted and motorists are reminded that the Tollway ramp, north of Touhy Avenue, on River Road northbound, will still be open for traffic to access I-294 southbound. Signage will be posted and motorists are encouraged to proceed through the construction area with caution.
Southbound I-294 Ramp (Touhy Ave. East Ramp)/S. of Touhy/River Intersection Closed 3/21-4/21
for immediate release
The Des Plaines Public Works and Engineering Department has announced that the southbound I-294 ramp (the Touhy Avenue East Ramp), south of the Touhy Avenue/River Road Intersection, will be closed from 4 AM, Monday, March 21, 2011- Thursday, April 21, 2011, as part of the River Road Reconstruction project.
A detour will be posted and motorists are reminded that the Tollway ramp, north of Touhy Avenue, on River Road northbound, will still be open for traffic to access I-294 southbound. Signage will be posted and motorists are encouraged to proceed through the construction area with caution.
Friday, March 18, 2011
President Declares Major Disaster For Illinois
Thu, 17 Mar 2011 20:37:51 -0500
WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) today announced that federal disaster aid has been made available to the state of Illinois to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the area struck by a severe winter storm and snowstorm during the period of January 31 to February 3, 2011.
WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) today announced that federal disaster aid has been made available to the state of Illinois to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the area struck by a severe winter storm and snowstorm during the period of January 31 to February 3, 2011.
Property Tax Apply Underway Wed Mar 16th
A group of over 50 residents joined 6th Ward Alderman Mark Walsten and our own Mike Elliot at ARNDT Park to fill out Tax Assessment appeal forms for 2010.
Des Plaines Flood Action group Dec 16th meeting minutes
1) At the meeting I reported on the The River road progress. I have included that info here, as well the latest update information and attached the supporting documents covering the phase 2 plan. My thanks to Ald. Walsten for passing it on from Tim. Showing us he is watching out for the residents by keeping up on things.
The River road work is progressing ahead of schedule. This permits AT&T, ComEd and Nicor to complete their utility relocation work for the southbound lanes during the coming months. Midwest Gaming has approved an accelerated construction roadwork schedule at their cost moving the completion dates to July 1, 2011.
Phase II of Des Plaines River Road Reconstruction (Rand to Touhy) project, we recently completed review of the 65% complete plans submitted by IDOT. In summary, most of our comments concern grading (elevations and slopes) for the new pavement to assure that our local drainage is accommodated. In addition, we want IDOT to minimize the amount of right-of-way that they acquire from adjacent property owners. This right-of-way is primarily at the signalized intersections where the pavement will be widened to add lanes or improve the turning radii at the intersection corners. Most likely, construction would start in 2012. The schedule is dependent on completion of the plans, securing the right-of-way, and getting utility conflicts
Phase II of Des Plaines River Road Reconstruction (Rand to Touhy) project, we recently completed review of the 65% complete plans submitted by IDOT. In summary, most of our comments concern grading (elevations and slopes) for the new pavement to assure that our local drainage is accommodated. In addition, we want IDOT to minimize the amount of right-of-way that they acquire from adjacent property owners. This right-of-way is primarily at the signalized intersections where the pavement will be widened to add lanes or improve the turning radii at the intersection corners. Most likely, construction would start in 2012. The schedule is dependent on completion of the plans, securing the right-of-way, and getting utility conflicts
resolved by the utility companies.
UPDATE INFORMATION - Jan 6th, 2011.
information on the Fargo Area Storm Sewer is attached. With reference to the Exhibit, the proposed 60” diameter storm sewer along Des Plaines River Road will be constructed in connection with IDOT’s Des Plaines River Road Reconstruction, Phase II improvement. Projected construction date is late 2011 or early 2012. Extension of the storm sewer along Fargo Avenue (48” diameter) and Jarvis (extended, 36” diameter) would occur at the end of the Storm Water Master Plan program in 2013 (unless additional funds can be secured earlier).
A copy of the IDOT plans in this area is also attached and shows the proposed 60” diameter storm sewer. In addition to the drainage improvements, the elevation of the new road will be approximately 3’ higher in elevation to serve as a flood barrier from the river.
Please contact Timothy Oakley if you have any questions on this information.
information on the Fargo Area Storm Sewer is attached. With reference to the Exhibit, the proposed 60” diameter storm sewer along Des Plaines River Road will be constructed in connection with IDOT’s Des Plaines River Road Reconstruction, Phase II improvement. Projected construction date is late 2011 or early 2012. Extension of the storm sewer along Fargo Avenue (48” diameter) and Jarvis (extended, 36” diameter) would occur at the end of the Storm Water Master Plan program in 2013 (unless additional funds can be secured earlier).
A copy of the IDOT plans in this area is also attached and shows the proposed 60” diameter storm sewer. In addition to the drainage improvements, the elevation of the new road will be approximately 3’ higher in elevation to serve as a flood barrier from the river.
Please contact Timothy Oakley if you have any questions on this information.
2) Again it was brought up that just Who is the watch dog for Des Plianes and it's resident when dealing with with local, state, and federal agencies? Our past mayor was ready to start a lawsuit against Levee 37 and it always changing specs like lack of water retention storage, flood gaps, etc.. To answer these and many other questions Mike will try to get get both Tim Oakley the city engineer and Marty Molan our mayor to attend the next meeting. We suggest that if you have questions please submit them to Mike mike@bestclients.com or myself gwiorek@aol.com so we can ask them at the meeting. This way we can focus on each question, manage the meeting time better and perhaps cover more ground. In fact if we give Marty and Tim the questions ahead of time they can be better prepared to answer them. It also keep down the "I have to check into it" responses.
3) It was decided not take any action concerning The Methodist Camp's flood program. It would be a strain on our resources to fight it as the Campground has for years now been fighting for their historical designation and spent a year working towards getting the basic grant. Also their building elevation grant is on hold pending replacement of the campground water system (at their cost) to assure proper fire flows. while plans from the association's engineer on the water project are nearly completed it still could be months before they actually get the grant money. I will do my best to keep tabs on the project and also will try to learn from them how they got the grant from IEMA to we can use that knowledge to apply for grants ourselves.
4) Heritage Park - Levee 37 water storage area. There is a huge difference between the prior proposed 2.6 million AC-FT of storage to cover levee 37 and the concept plan's 151 AC-FT of storage. Nor does the concept plan cover how they plan to get the water from the levee 37 gaps to there. Kind of looks like again they stuck it to us and did nothing but set up to cover overflow from Buffalo Creek. This is the biggest issue we face as a group.
5) We will not be doing any group property tax appeal because of the amount of work involved for the few interested parties. Still it is urged that you appeal yourself. We have members who had property tax increase on homes they still can not live in.
Oct 2010 Meeting notes
1) Levy 37 - Heritage Park 4.2 million gallons water over flow storage was needed. Stated would allocate acreage for at least 2.5 million but only 1.5 million allocated. No plans on how River water gets to Heritage. We feel that all it protects is their area. Mike is trying to keep an eye and pressure on this one.
2) No one is provide us with up to date information or worse miss leading or wrong info. Who are the flood project watch dogs for Des Plaines?
3) Jeff Tondola was the guest speaker . He and the nurse he brought with discusses - flood construction DR program, Mold and water health dangers. Covered different ways water can get in - heavy clay content of soil causes foundation and sewers movement leading to cracks, hydrostatic pressure during flooding also produces movement and cracks, flow over top of foundation, water wants to fill a void and seeks it's own leave 2-4 inch pitched away - side yard swales to give low points between houses. Sewage and mold are bad. If you can see the mold it's already a lot. Bleach is only a disinfectant not a cleaner.
4) Methodist camp ground - I will tour the grounds and do even more research - what about city code? Where money to inspect come from, separation of church and private business, summer homes, what shape? Water fire/system. IEMA
Rebuild Des Plaines movement backing, Landmark status. Do they pay property taxes or flood insurance?
What do we need to do? What can we do? Can we if nothing else force matching funds for flood relief of our full residency homes. Glenn research
5) Property tax reform? Do we want to get involved again Took a lot of work last year. Mike
6) Cook county Disaster Grant - fiasco Person in charge indicted. Contractors not begin paid so so stalled. A number of residents displaced. Jeff who worked as an estimator for cook count was forced to do 150 inspection in 3 weeks. Need to find out all the contractors and through them the customers. Class action suite? At least make number of folks number displaced know to Des Plaines and Cook County officals. Mike and everyone who can help.
7) Next meeting Dec city hall chambers - data to announced when Mike can get the room.
8) Latest River road construction update Posted prior to this entry.
2) No one is provide us with up to date information or worse miss leading or wrong info. Who are the flood project watch dogs for Des Plaines?
3) Jeff Tondola was the guest speaker . He and the nurse he brought with discusses - flood construction DR program, Mold and water health dangers. Covered different ways water can get in - heavy clay content of soil causes foundation and sewers movement leading to cracks, hydrostatic pressure during flooding also produces movement and cracks, flow over top of foundation, water wants to fill a void and seeks it's own leave 2-4 inch pitched away - side yard swales to give low points between houses. Sewage and mold are bad. If you can see the mold it's already a lot. Bleach is only a disinfectant not a cleaner.
4) Methodist camp ground - I will tour the grounds and do even more research - what about city code? Where money to inspect come from, separation of church and private business, summer homes, what shape? Water fire/system. IEMA
Rebuild Des Plaines movement backing, Landmark status. Do they pay property taxes or flood insurance?
What do we need to do? What can we do? Can we if nothing else force matching funds for flood relief of our full residency homes. Glenn research
5) Property tax reform? Do we want to get involved again Took a lot of work last year. Mike
6) Cook county Disaster Grant - fiasco Person in charge indicted. Contractors not begin paid so so stalled. A number of residents displaced. Jeff who worked as an estimator for cook count was forced to do 150 inspection in 3 weeks. Need to find out all the contractors and through them the customers. Class action suite? At least make number of folks number displaced know to Des Plaines and Cook County officals. Mike and everyone who can help.
7) Next meeting Dec city hall chambers - data to announced when Mike can get the room.
8) Latest River road construction update Posted prior to this entry.
Oct Des Plaines River Road Update
Phase I (Touhy to Devon) of the Des Plaines River Road reconstruction project is on schedule with a completion date of July 2011.
On Phase II (Rand to Devon), preliminary plans have been prepared by IDOT and are under review. The 60" inch diameter storm sewer is part of the Phase II project since the outlet for the system is north of Welwyn Avenue, which is well beyond the project limits of Phase I. As you may know, the elevation of the new pavement will be raised, where possible, to provide flood protection from Des Plaines River flooding. Projected construction date is late 2011 or early 2012, and is dependent on when IDOT secures the right-of-way / easements necessary to construct the project.
Please feel free to contact me if you have any further questions.
Timothy P. Oakley, P.E., CFM
Director of Public Works and Engineering
City of Des Plaines
847.391.5390
On Phase II (Rand to Devon), preliminary plans have been prepared by IDOT and are under review. The 60" inch diameter storm sewer is part of the Phase II project since the outlet for the system is north of Welwyn Avenue, which is well beyond the project limits of Phase I. As you may know, the elevation of the new pavement will be raised, where possible, to provide flood protection from Des Plaines River flooding. Projected construction date is late 2011 or early 2012, and is dependent on when IDOT secures the right-of-way / easements necessary to construct the project.
Please feel free to contact me if you have any further questions.
Timothy P. Oakley, P.E., CFM
Director of Public Works and Engineering
City of Des Plaines
847.391.5390
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