“We had neglected capital expenditures,” says Bartholomew, who joined city government in 2011. “Those things definitely needed attention.”īartholomew and other officials in Des Plaines say their community was not necessarily “struggling” after the economic recession of 2008, but there were challenges. “This casino allowed us to get back on course with our water mains, our sewers and road work,” says city manager Michael Bartholomew. You want a sign that Des Plaines is a casino town? Look for the orange traffic cones and construction sites. That’s despite Des Plaines’ sharp lack of wedding chapels, street performers and giant, flashing signs. With its quiet, historic main street and lack of downtown nightlife, Des Plaines will never be confused with Las Vegas or Atlantic City, y et it plays host to the very wealthy Rivers Casino: the most profitable gambling hall in Illinois and, per capita, one of the most successful casinos in the United States. It is the home of a school building which provided the backdrop for iconic films, like Ferris Bueller’s Day Off and The Breakfast Club. It is not your typical casino town.ĭes Plaines, Illinois is where Ray Kroc opened the first franchised McDonalds restaurant.
