Empress River Casino Heliport

Economic and operational reasons. The heliport was an expensive luxury amenity established during the initial boom of riverboat gaming in the 1990s. As the casino changed ownership from Empress to Horseshoe (1999) and eventually to Penn Entertainment (2010), the new operators streamlined operations and cut high-cost, low-usage perks. A private heliport was no longer considered a necessary or cost-effective feature for their target market, leading to its eventual closure and removal.

The site of the former heliport is now a paved surface parking lot for the Hollywood Casino Joliet. There are no remaining markings or infrastructure indicating its past as an aviation facility. Furthermore, the entire Hollywood Casino Joliet property at this location is being decommissioned. In late 2023, construction began on a new land-based casino resort several miles away. Once the new facility opens (projected for 2025), the current riverboat and its associated land, including the former heliport site, will be vacated and likely sold for redevelopment.

The Empress River Casino Heliport was a symbol of the opulence and high-stakes competition of the early Illinois casino industry. Its primary function was to provide discreet and rapid transportation for VIP guests and high-rollers, flying them directly to the casino from Chicago and surrounding areas to bypass traffic. This service was a key marketing tool to attract the most lucrative clientele. The heliport was a private facility, handling chartered light-to-medium helicopters, and was not open to the public.

There are zero prospects for reopening. The heliport has been physically removed for over a decade, and the entire casino operation is relocating away from the site. The plans for the new land-based Hollywood Casino Joliet do not include a heliport, as this type of amenity is no longer a standard feature for regional casinos.