Governor JB Pritzker visited Carterville Tuesday where he along with state and local officials held a news conference at Walker’s Bluff to make a long-awaited announcement.

Casino expansion including a casino for Walker’s Bluff was included in the $45 billion, six-year Rebuild Illinois capital plan Pritzker recently signed into law.

The bipartisan plan calls for fixing the state’s infrastructure including roads, bridges and state facilities along with funding broadband expansion, health care and human services and investing in education. It’s expected to create thousands of jobs. It will be funded with revenue raised from casino gaming and increased taxes and fees.

State Sen. Dale Fowler attended Tuesday’s announcement. He says Walker’s Bluff is going to become a destination.

State Rep. Dave Severin….

The owner of Walker’s Bluff, Cynde Bunch, had nothing but praise for Gov. JB Pritzker and other local and state officials who worked hard to get this done for the state and for southern Illinois.

Walker’s Bluff plans to start building the casino and convention center first and hope to open both in January 2021. The water park and hotels will take two more years to build.