All Illinois casinos suspend operations due to COVID-19

Posted: Mar 13, 2020 / 05:57 PM CDT / Updated: Mar 13, 2020 / 06:57 PM CDT

ATLANTIC CITY, NJ – JULY 8: The roulette wheel spins at Caesars Atlantic City July 8, 2006 in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Caesars, along with Atlantic City’s 11 other casinos reopend this morning after they were forced to close their gambling floors for the first time in their 28-year history due to the New Jersey state budget impasse. (Photo by William Thomas Cain/Getty Images)

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DES PLAINES, Ill. — The Illinois Gaming Board has told all 10 Illinois casinos to halt their operations for two weeks.

The two-week suspension will begin on Monday. Earlier Friday, Rivers Casino announced that they will temporarily suspend operations for two weeks starting on Sunday.

“In the best interests of our Team Members, guests and the Chicagoland community, we are temporarily closing Rivers Casino Des Plaines effective Sunday, March 15, for fourteen days. Although there have been no known cases of COVID-19 at the property, we are suspending operations out of an abundance of caution and to promote the social distancing recommended by health officials,” the casino said in a press release Friday.

Rivers will continue normal payroll for team members during the 14-day suspension.

Other area casinos affected are Harrah’s Joliet, Hollywood Casino Aurora, Grand Victoria Casino Elgin and Hollywood Casino Joliet.