Uncertain future for casino employees after casino burned down
Submitted on Wed, 2009-04-01 08:46
After a fire destroyed its pavilion area last week it is still unclear when the Empress Casino in Joliet will reopen.
The blazed burned for about 12 hours. The actual gambling barge is unharmed, but there is tremendous damage to the rest of the facility. The city building inspector of suburban Joliet says the sprinkler system of the Empress Casino's pavilion was disconnected when a fire destroyed the building.
The building was undergoing a $50 million renovation.
About 800 people who work at the boat are now facing a uncertain future, but for now, employees' health benefits are continuing being payed and workers are being payed half of their reported tips.