Harold Ellebracht (from left), Tom Lambrecht and Bill Sabo cut the ribbon at the launch of the Empress Casino on June 17, 1992, | submitted photo
Phil Dettmering (left), bartender, and Debra Fallara (right), game supervisor/developmental manager, have both been with Hollywood Casino since June 1992 as seen Thursday, June 14, 2012, in Joliet. | Matthew Grotto~Sun-Times Media
Wayne Smith, general manager, speaks to employees during a luncheon celebrating 20 years in business and to recognize around 40 employees who were present those 20 years at Hollywood Casino Thursday, June 14, 2012, in Joliet. | Matthew Grotto~Sun-Times Media
Wayne Smith, general manager, (left) applauds while speaking to employees during a luncheon celebrating 20 years in business and to recognize around 40 employees who were present those 20 years at Hollywood Casino Thursday, June 14, 2012, in Joliet. | Matthew Grotto~Sun-Times Media
Firefighters battle a 2009 blaze that destroyed much of the Empress Casino. The casino reopened several months later as Hollywood Casino Joliet. | file photo
A view of cake during a luncheon celebrating 20 years in business and to recognize around 40 employees who were present those 20 years at Hollywood Casino Thursday, June 14, 2012, in Joliet. | Matthew Grotto~Sun-Times Media
Jack Binion
Empress Casino | file photo
Tiffany Claus impersonates Angelina Jolie during the grand opening of the new Hollywood Casino Joliet. | file photo
JOLIET — Mike Hansen remembers the exact moment when he first heard about the possibility of gambling boats coming to Joliet. The Joliet lawyer was at a banquet in Shorewood in the late 1980s when client Tom Lambrecht approached him. “He said, ‘I’ve got this …
