Proponents of land-based casino in Gary set sights on next session

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Karen Freeman-Wilson answers a reporter's question just before making her victory speech at her election night party Tuesday at the Genesis Center in Gary. | Stephanie Dowell~Sun-Times Media

Updated: February 21, 2012 8:28AM

INDIANAPOLIS — A legislative push to give Gary a land-based casino will wait until next year, a key state senator said on Wednesday after meeting with Gary Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson.

Freeman-Wilson and her staff briefed state Sen. Luke Kenley, R-Noblesville, on what the new mayor hopes to accomplish.

A portion of the plan calls for a land-based casino, which proponents expect would bring in revenue and facilitate economic development for the cash-strapped city.

“The plan itself is more important than the land-based casino,” Kenley said, “so I’m hoping next year when we hear the bill we’ll present it as a Gary development plan as opposed to just a casino bill.”

Freeman-Wilson had hoped the bill would grow into a comprehensive legislative package for the city, including changes for Gary/Chicago International Airport, an intermodal transportation facility and a trauma center or teaching hospital.

Kenley, who chairs the committee where the bill was assigned this session, joined state Sen. Earline Rogers, D-Gary, as an author.

A separate casino bill filed in the House is not scheduled for a committee hearing.

Freeman-Wilson didn’t immediately return a call for comment on Wednesday night.

Rogers has told the Post-Tribune she expects a comprehensive approach would help the bill pass the Indiana General Assembly.

“Because all of the amendments that we’re speaking of would be positives not only for Gary but for the region and for the state,” Rogers told the Post-Tribune when Kenley originally announced he didn’t plan to give the bill a hearing. “At that point it gives more legislators a stake in the legislation.”