Opening Day: Look inside Rockford’s new Hard Rock Casino
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) – Rockford’s permanent Hard Rock Casino opened to the public at 3 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 29, ending a five-year process since the city was granted a casino license in 2019.
In addition to a 64,000 square-foot gaming floor, 1,300 slot machines, 50 live table games a Hard Rock Live concert venue, Hard Rock Cafe, and sportsbook, local gaming officials say Rockford’s Hard Rock Casino is a music and entertainment museum that rivals any curated facility.
From Mick Jagger’s pants to Bob Dylan’s harmonica, it’s all on display in the Forest City.
“We do have Rick Nielsen’s private collection at our center point display, including his five-neck guitar. You’ll find pieces from Cheap Trick to Sam Cooke to Eddie Vedder to Beyoncé to Prince. It’s a world-class collection that is comparable to any of the region’s cultural institutions and museums,” said Hard Rock marketing director Steve Platcow.
Hard Rock Casino Rockford is located at 7801 E. State Street.
A grand opening “Guitar Smash” event, a Hard Rock tradition, featured Rick Nielsen, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, the Seminole Tribe of Florida Council Members, Hard Rock International COO Jon Lucas, and other special guests, including NBA Champion and Rockford native Fred VanVleet.
“I’m thrilled to celebrate another major economic win for the people of Illinois with the new Rockford Hard Rock Casino,” Pritzker said in a statement. “This state and local tax revenue helps ensure the city can meet their obligations and build for the future while alleviating the burden on Rockford taxpayers.”
“Rockford is celebrating a huge win today with the opening of the long-awaited and much-desired Hard Rock Casino. Governor JB Pritzker and our local delegation – Senator Steve Stadelman, Senator Dave Syverson and Representative Maurice West – were instrumental in making this dream a reality,” said Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara. “As the doors to the permanent casino open, I’m thrilled to welcome our residents and visitors to this incredible facility full of world-class gaming, dining and entertainment.”
“It’s good to see the city continue to grow and you have to tip your cap and give credit to all the incredible people that’ve put the work in behind the scenes to make things like this happen,” VanVleet said. “I think, from the moment I went downstate as a senior in basketball and we got the field houses the next year for the high schools, it just feels like it’s been something every couple of years now. The city is growing and developing at a good pace, and we just got to keep it up.”
The casino has lined up several musical acts for opening weekend, including Akon, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, and Brad Paisley, with others to follow, including Teddy Swims, Black Crowes, Brian McKnight, and Gipsy Kings,
In addition, the casino features 9 restaurants and bars, including:
Council Oak Steaks & Seafood: The “sophisticated, classic-American steakhouse” will be open Monday-Tuesday Closed, Wednesday-Sunday 5:00 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Council Oak Bar: Monday-Thursday 5 p.m. to midnight; Saturday-Sunday 12 p.m. – midnight.
Plum Lounge: The VIP dining experience will be open Monday-Friday 3 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Hard Rock Cafe: The famous “Rock ’n’ roll-themed chain with a high-energy vibe serving burgers & American classics” will be open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Hard Rock Center Bar: Monday-Thursday 10 a.m. to 2 a.m., Friday-Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 a.m.
YouYu: “A modern, high-energy Asian restaurant and noodle bar,” will be open Sunday-Thursday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday-Saturday 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.
Constant Grind: A casual sit-down venue for coffee and espresso specialty drinks will be open 6 a.m. to 4 a.m.
Street Tacos: Monday-Thursday 12 p.m. to 4 a.m.; Friday 4 p.m. to 2 a.m.; Saturday 12 p.m. to 2 a.m.; Sunday 12 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Brick’d Italian Kitchen: A “chef-led pizzeria” will be open Monday-Tuesday Closed; Wednesday-Sunday 4 p.m. to 10 p.m
The Hard Rock Casino is the culmination of years of effort to bring a casino to the city, following Gov. JB Pritzker’s signing of the Rebuild Illinois Act in June 2019.
The Rebuild Illinois Act allowed for the creation of six casinos statewide.
Three casino plans were proposed to the City of Rockford in October 2019, with the City Council ultimately choosing Hard Rock International’s proposal, which was backed by Rockford native and musical legend Rick Nielsen of Cheap Trick.
The company opened a temporary casino called Rockford Casino: A Hard Rock Opening Act, in the former Giovanni’s, at 610 N. Bell School Road, in November 2021. It generated nearly $40 million in state and local taxes.
A hotel is planned to be added to the casino in the project’s Phase 2.
Across the state line in Wisconsin, Beloit’s Ho-Chunk Casino, which will feature four restaurants and a 312-room hotel, is slated to break ground in fall 2024.
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