There were lots of jokes about riverboats in ponds, and uproarious laughter when Palatine Village President Rita Mullins displayed the sword she’d been given from Medieval Times.
But the five northwest suburban mayors who addressed the Northwest Suburban Association of Commerce and Industry at a question-and-answer session Thursday had serious issues on their minds.
Economic development topped everyone’s list as the most pressing issue for the new year.
And while they have specific goals for each of their communities, they were united in one new year’s resolution: That Springfield invest more money in the northwest region.
“There was $20 million in the state budget that they didn’t know what to do with, so they renovated our state fairgrounds,” said Mullins, who is running for president of the Cook County Board. “I find that a bit outrageous, especially when we’ve been working hard to get money back here.”
Al Larson of Schaumburg chimed in: “It’s about time Illinois began investing in Illinois.”
Speaking of $20 million, Larson said he’ll continue to hound the state legislature for the $20 million needed to fund a regional convention center in Schaumburg. The long-stalled plan involves five communities that have pledged a total of $40 million for the project.
“We’re not talking about a civic center in a corn field,” Larson said. “We’re talking about a major international center.
“If there’s a logical place for a convention center, it seems like it’s right here in the golden corridor.”
Larson noted that there were more businesses in Schaumburg than there are in downtown Houston.
Noting that government is always encouraged to run more like a business, Larson had a message for state lawmakers: “Good businesses invest in the most productive parts of their operation. Right here is the most productive part.”
Arlene Mulder of Arlington Heights isn’t losing any sleep over the stalled convention center, she said. Such a project might even hurt her village’s hotel business, she noted, adding that Arlington Heights has been invited to join Schaumburg, Hoffman Estates, Elk Grove Village and Palatine, as a member of the convention center team.
So far, she’s declined the invitation. “It wouldn’t positively impact Arlington Heights as much as it would benefit Schaumburg,” she said.
First on Mulder’s mind is the gambling issue.
“Our concern is that Arlington International Racecourse remain a viable business,” Mulder said. “It is a vital part of our economic base.”
Riverboat casinos, which began plying Illinois waters three years ago, are affecting the horse racing industry. Any further proliferation of gambling in Illinois-riverboats in Chicago, more riverboats for the suburbs-could seriously hurt it, she added.
“I hope that whatever comes out of Springfield will take into account the interests of the racing industry, and protect agriculture.” Meanwhile, Mayor Carl Couve of Rolling Meadows told the area business leaders that plans for an American Indian casino in his city were on hold indefinitely.
In November 1992, the city entered into a contract with a band of the St. Croix Chippewa tribe of Wisconsin for a small land-based casino at Algonquin Road and Illinois Highway 53 if approval could be garnered from the federal and state governments. The proposal is before the federal Department of Interior, but is unlikely to see the light of day since Gov. Jim Edgar, who under most scenarios would have to sign off on the deal, said he opposes land-based casinos.
