Residents of the community who don't drive or who frequently have access to a car or another form of transportation will soon have easier access to Hard Rock Casino Rockford in Illinois.

On Sunday, September 1, the Rockford Mass Transit District (RMTD), which operates the public transportation system for Illinois' fifth-most populous city, will start providing service to the recently opened Hard Rock Casino. According to RMTD officials, a few bus routes will be slightly rerouted to accommodate the casino, Rockford University, and the AMC cinema located along E. State St.

"The service changes are a result of ongoing rider and community feedback that RMTD has received. RMTD anticipates the changes will improve access to employment, educational, health, and retail opportunities for the community, while further helping to eliminate transportation barriers for those who are challenged with them,” an RMTD release explained.

Numerous bus lines, including the #11 E. State St., #18 Bell School Rd., #19 CherryVale Mall, #32 E. State St., and #42 E. State St. routes, will service the Hard Rock entertainment attraction.  

Grand Debut 

Today marks the official launch of Hard Rock Casino Rockford, which is owned by the Seminole Tribe of Florida through Hard Rock International. Public access to the casino will begin at approximately 3 p.m. local time.

As a media tour comes to an end, the casino's inaugural patrons are lining up outside to be among the first to experience its 1,300 slot machines and 50 live dealer table games. There is also a poker room and Hard Rock Bet Sportsbook at the Rockford casino.

Although there isn't a hotel at Hard Rock Casino Rockford, it does boast six eateries and bars, a Hard Rock souvenir and merch store, and a 23,000-square-foot Hard Rock Live concert venue that can hold up to 2,000 people for live entertainment. Meetings and functions can also be rented out in the Hard Rock Live space. 

Community Assist 

Despite having some wealthy districts, the city of Rockford, which has a population of over 147K, has a poverty rate above 21%, according to the US Census Bureau. About 400 workers have been hired by Hard Rock to manage its newest casino, which should lessen the high rate of poverty in the area.

For its Rockford business, Hard Rock is now looking for a couple additional band members. A supervisor of the casino cage, bartenders and servers, table game dealers, cashiers, a supervisor of the poker room, security guards, floor attendants, and an assistant manager of casino operations are among the 33 roles that are still open.

Hard Rock claims that despite running a temporary casino in the town from November 2021 until its termination earlier this month, it has already assimilated with the population. According to company representatives, the temporary gaming area brought in millions of dollars for the city's gaming tax and enabled Hard Rock to provide more than $1 million to almost 100 nonprofits and charitable organizations in the area last year.

Notable investor in Hard Rock Rockford is guitarist Rick Nielsen of Cheap Trick, an Illinois native who helped form the band in 1973 in Rockford.

"I Want You to Want Me," a famous song by the band, is shown as the casino's entryway. In addition, Hard Rock Rockford greets visitors with a 62-foot guitar dedicated to Nielsen and Cheap Trick.