DANVILLE, Ill. (WAND) - The city of Danville faces a bump in the road after it was dealt a lawsuit over its proposed casino.
"I nearly believe it's retribution. I don't believe that their lawsuit has any merit or validity," Mayor Rickey Williams Jr. told WAND News about the lawsuit over the location for the proposed Golden Nugget Casino.
Williams also made it clear to WAND News that "Mrs. Mervis nor her other children are a part of this lawsuit, so it's only Michael and Adam through Mervis Industries."
In September of 2020, city council members voted 10-0 to approve the rezoning petition after the city’s Planning and Zoning Commission voted not to approve the request.
Mervis Industries is seeking a circuit court judge to declare that the city of Danville unlawfully changed its zoning code from industrial to business zoning for the purpose of putting the casino at the site.
Alderman Mike Puhr said he found out about the lawsuit recently.
"We were hit with the knowledge of the lawsuit, about two and a half weeks ago. It's basically Mervis industries bringing a lawsuit because we rezoned the building at 204 East Gate Drive to make it available for the casino," Puhr told WAND News.
This address was not the first option for where the proposed casino would be located.
"Originally, the casino was going to go on land that's owned by two of the individuals who are the head of Mervis Industries, Williams said.
The mayor added Mervis Industries' asking price was too high.
"They were asking well over $12 million for land. The 42 acres, they were offered $5.2 million for it and they turned it down and so what this boils down to (for) me is greed," Williams said.
Mervis Industries sent WAND a statement saying:
"This is a court matter. We do not believe it appropriate to litigate this through news or on social media. Out of respect for the court process we will not be commenting further."
Williams and Alderman Puhr said this will not be stopping their casino plans.
"I do not believe that it will impact our proposal before the Illinois gaming board in any way," Puhr said. "In my heart I still feel we're moving in the positive direction. I don't think this lawsuit will go anywhere.”
Mayor Williams said he wants the Vermilion County community to know he will continue to fight this lawsuit on the beliefs of what is right and just.
"I just want the people of Danville and Vermillion County to know that we will not kiss the ring," the mayor said. "We will not bow, or cartel ourselves or our best interests for the needs or the greed of other people."
