Wind Creek Chicago Southland casino in East Hazel Crest and Pope Leo XIV’s childhood home in Dolton were among several spots in the south suburbs highlighted as tourism draws at Visit Chicago Southland’s annual awards ceremony Thursday.
The casino, on the border with Homewood, opened in November 2024 to huge crowds.
“Wind Creek is really proud to be one of the newest additions to the region’s hospitality and entertainment landscape,” said Jahnae Erpenbach, the casino’s general manager. “We’re excited to play an integral role in attracting visitors in attracting visitors and showcasing Chicago Southland.”
Although the casino is still new, Erpenbach said, it had already made an impact. Recently, the casino was awarded five first-place awards from the Casino Player magazine’s 2026 Best of Gaming Awards, including Best Overall Gaming Resort and Best Hotel in the Chicago area.
“Although we are relatively new to this environment right now, we are making our mark,” Erpenbach said.
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Homewood Mayor Rich Hofeld highlighted the importance of indigenous people to the early history of the area, calling the casino, which is operated by the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, a “natural progression.”
“As you can see, what began as a small trading post along an Indian trail has evolved into this beautiful venue,” Hofeld said. “The Wind Creek casino has become an integral part of the Southland.”
A percentage of the casino’s revenue is split among 43 municipalities in the south suburbs, including Homewood and Hazel Crest. Forty-one of those towns received $118,000 each from the casino’s first year of operations, while Homewood and Hazel Crest received more.
The casino was one of two recipients of Visit Chicago Southland’s 2026 Partner of the Year award. Mary Patchin, CEO of Visit Chicago Southland, said it had “quickly become an outstanding tourism partner, despite being one of our newest hospitality destinations.”
“They have embraced every opportunity to showcase the Chicago Southland,” Patchin said. “Their commitment to partnership has made an immediate impact.”
Slick City Action Park in Orland Park also received a Partner of the Year award.
Another site highlighted was Pope Leo XVI’s childhood home in Dolton, which the village purchased after the Dolton native was elected pontiff.
“Through the purchase and planned restoration of the Pope house, the village is preserving an internationally significant landmark while balancing residents’ needs,” Patchin said, calling the work “one of our region’s most significant historic preservation projects.”
Dolton was awarded Visit Chicago Southland’s Tourism Award of Merit for its work preserving the house.
“Their dedication to preserving history, strengthening their community, and providing an exceptional visitor experience makes them truly deserving of this honor,” Patchin said.
Dolton Clerk Alison Key said the village is in the process of having the house declared a historic site.
“This is the beginning of something great in Dolton, with the pope’s home,” Key said. “We already submitted the paperwork, we’ve gotten through certain layers of it.”
Next, the village hopes to pursue grants to restore the house and develop the area further as a tourist draw, with the potential for new restaurants and a museum, Key said.
“I had the privilege of going to Rome to meet him personally,” Key said. “And I told him that I hope we do him proud.”