Illinois county goes over Prairie Band agreement

Wednesday, January 16, 2008  

Officials in Dekalb County, Illinois, went over a casino agreement with the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation of Kansas.

The agreement calls for the tribe to share 2.5 percent of annual gaming revenues from a Class II facility in the county. The tribe will pay property taxes, submit to county inspections and pay for any damages to roads caused by traffic.

Dennis J. Whittlesey, an attorney hired by the county board, said the agreement depends on a ruling from the National Indian Gaming Commission. If the NIGC says the tribe can't engage in gaming on the land, the tribe won't be able to open the Class II facility.

The tribe says a 1,200-acre reservation that was deeded to a Potawatomi chief still exists. The tribe has purchased 128 acres with the original reservation.

Get the Story:
Workshop dissects tribe agreement (The Midweek News 1/16)