Hard Rock Casino in Illinois Continues to Hire

By Jane Shaw Senior Editor Updated: 01/08/2024

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Hard Rock Casino

It has been reported that the Hard Rock Casino is set to open its doors by the end of August at 610 N. Bell School Road, Rockford, Illinois.

The move will create a valuable boost for the local economy and will result in hundreds of new employment opportunities. The location of the casino, at the junction of East State Street and Interstate 90, is expected to attract many visitors in addition to creating many new jobs in the region.

Recruitment Strategy Outlined During Networking Event

During a recent networking event at the Illinois Bank & Trust Pavilion at Aldeen Golf Course, officials from Hard Rock outlined the recruitment strategy and announced a series of hiring events and workforce readiness workshops that are set to begin early this year. The casino is looking to employ a total of 750 staff members, of which 350 positions have already been filled.

The President of the new casino, Geno Lafrate, said:

It’s a heavy lift. It’s never too early to start reaching out to the community and the community organizations that we think will be invaluable in helping us fill those positions with the right folks.

He added that forging connections within the community would make it easier to ensure they could fill open positions in time for the summer opening of the facility.

Recruitment Drive to Start in March

The recruitment drive is set to kick off in March with the posting of management positions, followed by the announcement of supervisory roles in April. A wider range of job opportunities will be unveiled in May, leading up to the hiring events scheduled for June and July.

According to reports, not all supervisory roles will be open to external candidates, as some positions are earmarked for existing employees of Hard Rock’s temporary casino.

Diverse Range of Job Opportunities Available

The Hard Rock Casino offers a diverse range of career options, including management positions, food and beverage services, operations, transportation, retail, and warehousing. Remuneration packages are expected to be very competitive, with supervisors said to be earning a minimum of $50,000 annually and managerial positions offering up to $70,000 per year.

There will also be various casino floor positions, with openings for card dealers, cashiers, security personnel, transport employees, sportsbook employees, and more. In a bid to attract a skilled workforce, the casino has set a minimum wage of $18 per hour for non-tipped positions, while employees in tipped roles can expect to earn between $10 to $16 per hour.

In addition, there will be culinary roles available, with positions for executive chefs, outlet and banquet chefs, butchers, cooks, bartenders, servers, hosts, and hostesses.

The opening of the Hard Rock Casino is an important addition to Rockford, as it means not only entertainment and leisure opportunities but also a significant number of job openings. The development is likely to have a huge positive impact on the local economy, with visitors also spending money at businesses close by, plus it will provide increased entertainment options for locals and visitors to the area.