When the Northwest Indiana gambling riverboats celebrated their decade birthday in 2006, Chicago Bears legend Mike Ditka was singing the praises of Majestic Star Casino in Gary and wearing the hat of celebrity spokesman for the property.

In fact, it's Ditka's face that was plastered all over billboards from Chicago to Michigan, along the expressways and Cline Avenue.

It makes it all the more interesting that a press announcement Tuesday touting another possible developer partnership making a bid for the State of Illinois' 10th and final gaming license included the ringing endorsement of none other than Ditka.

Tim Carey, President and General Manager of Hawthorne Race Course, 3501 Laramie Ave. in Stickney, Ill. was scheduled to be joined by Chicago sports icon Ditka and Stickney Mayor Donald Tabor at an 11 a.m. press conference today to announce plans for the proposed Champions Casino and Resort, described as "a $500 million premiere entertainment destination in an unprecedented bid for Illinois' 10th casino license."

The ownership group of Hawthorne Horse Race Park is partnered with Altium Development Group and Merit Gaming Group, the latter two both leaders in casino and retail development and management, to redevelop the use of the 136-acre real estate holdings located between Cicero and Laramie Avenues, just a stone's throw from Midway Airport.

Of course, Calumet City officials also announced their own plans last week to snag the coveted 10th casino license.

I've also heard buzz about other proposed gaming properties, mostly speculation for downtown locations, with pitched casinos potentially located everywhere from "The Old Post Office" building and along Navy Pier to the street of prized water locked property known as Meigs Field.

But I have to admit, this proposed casino and resort plan from the folks at Hawthorne is very impressive.

Their proposed entertainment destination would include the following attractions:

* 40,000 sq. ft casino

* 1,150 slot positions

* 50 table games and a poker room

* 300-room casino hotel and conference center

* 140,000 sq. ft entertainment district

* 8-12 restaurants

* A multi-screen movie theater

* 25,000 sq. ft. bowling lounge

* 150,000 sq. ft. water park resort with 400 all-inclusive suites

* 4,800 seat outdoor subterranean amphitheater

According to the press announcement, the project "would bring hundreds of millions of dollars of revenue to the state of Illinois and revitalize the south suburban economy and Midway Airport Corridor with the creation of over 3,000 jobs."

Champions Casino & Resort would also be the first entertainment destination in the nation to also feature live horseracing.

The Carey Family has owned and operated Hawthorne Race Course for more than 100 years, making it the oldest continuously family-owned and operated race track in the nation.

As the oldest sports venue in Illinois, Hawthorne Race Course has been an integral player in the legendary heritage of Chicago sports entertainment.

The opinions expressed are solely those of the writer. He can be reached at ppotempa@nwitimes.com or 219.852.4327.

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