Joliet chamber salutes Hollywood Casino

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Updated: March 4, 2012 8:09AM

JOLIET — It was easy picking this year’s recipient of the Salute to Accomplishment Award, said Russ Slinkard, Joliet chamber president and CEO.

Hollywood Casino received the award during a chamber banquet Thursday at the Holiday Inn Hotel and Conference Center.

Hollywood, formerly Empress Casino, was the perfect choice because the company is a large employer that has weathered tough times with a positive spirit, Slinkard said.

“They’re a good community citizen,” he said. “They demonstrated that very, very clearly at the time of the fire.”

A March 2009 fire damaged the casino and shut down operations for three months. During that time, casino officials continued to pay employees and encouraged them to use their time off to volunteer at area nonprofits.

“I think that really says something about the organization,” Slinkard said.

During the three months the casino was closed, casino volunteers helped more than 30 agencies. For instance, 20 people worked at the Will County-owned Sunny Hill nursing home for two weeks to paint a large hallway.

After the casino reopened, work continued on a new $70 million pavilion that turned the Egyptian-themed Empress into the movie-themed Hollywood Casino in December 2010.

Last month, Wayne Smith took over as manager of the casino. He replaced Jon Johnson.

“I’ve been here a total of three to four weeks and it’s been a phenomenal experience so far for me,” he said.

The award from the Joliet Region Chamber of Commerce & Industry is just part of the warm welcome he said he’s received so far.

“We’re extremely honored to receive this presentation from the chamber and we’re thankful for their support,” Smith said of the award.

The casino will celebrate its 20th anniversary this year, he added, and some of the employees have been with the organization since day one. They have persevered through the fire and corporate changes, he said.

“To have weathered those changes is a testament to those employees,” Smith said. “They’re a great, great group of people.”

Though the recession took a bite out of casino revenue, Smith is optimistic.

“We’re looking forward to a great 2012,” he said.