Kaskaskia Hotel Timeline: Two Decades of Promises and How LaSalle Blew Through Two TIFs for a Hotel That Never Happened

2003–2012: The Carus Years Begin (and Stall)

• Blouke Carus purchases the Kaskaskia Hotel for $1 at a sheriff's auction with the intention of restoring it.

• Over the next decade, he repeatedly tells the public he’s optimistic about progress—even as little happens on site.

 2013–2015: Council Presentations, EB-5 Promises, and No Progress

• Carus announces a plan to use the EB-5 immigrant investor visa program to fund a $15M redevelopment.

• He speaks to the LaSalle City Council and the public about progress, but the project stalls again.

• The City begins citing code violations, and plans to demolish the attached garage.

2016: Enter CL Enterprises—Inga Carus and Peter Limberger Take Over

• Without a formal announcement or public resolution, CL Enterprises—led by Limberger and Inga Carus—takes over the project.

• They begin promoting a $30M vision for the hotel, promising tax credits and Chinese investment through EB-5.

• The City drops code enforcement and backs their proposal.

 2017–2018: Cosmetic Fixes, Delays, and More Promises

• The developers complete some brickwork and interior testing but never begin construction.

• Promised opening dates shift from 2018 to 2020.

 2019: The Big Agreement

• The City of LaSalle signs a formal redevelopment agreement with Kaskaskia Development LLC (CL Enterprises).

• The deal promises up to $26.5 million in TIF-eligible public reimbursements, with no performance penalties or construction deadlines.

 2020–2024: Two TIF Districts, $2.5M Spent, Nothing Delivered

• Despite the agreement, construction never begins.

• Records show LaSalle spent over $2.5M on demolition, legal fees, and surrounding downtown improvements related to the hotel.

• TIF V records show a $89.8 million deficit as of 2024.

• CL Enterprises continues to promise progress, but nothing is built.

“You aren’t even going to start on this thing.” — LaSalle Alderman, Sept. 24, 2019