ROCKFORD, Ill. (WIFR) — The city of Rockford submitted the Hard Rock Casino proposal to the Illinois Gaming Board for review.

City leaders had until Oct. 26, 2019, to submit the plan. Now, the Illinois Gaming Board will decide whether to grant the license.

Rockford received three casino proposals in late August, but the Hard Rock Casino was the only one recommended to the city council and approved to submit by council members.

Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara says the project is exciting for the city.

“I can tell you our proposal is in, and my understanding is that we’re the first proposal to be in in the entire state,” McNamara said. “We are excited. There will be a celebration on Monday, and I hope we see a lot of Rockfordians out to show their support of this as we continue to move through the process.”

In June, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed the state’s gaming expansion bill into law, giving Rockford and five other sites permission for land-based casinos.

Rockford was required to approve and send a proposal to the Illinois Gaming Board within 120 days.

The Illinois Gaming Board has 12 months to review the proposal and issue a gaming license. If that happens, a temporary casino will open at Giovanni’s Restaurant & Convention Center on North Bell School Road within 90 days of approval.