Bally’s casino reportedly Chicago’s frontrunner, but Mayor Lori Lightfoot pushes back

Lightfoot stated the committee tasked with evaluating all three on line casino bids has not but accomplished its work.

The almost $2 billion proposed venture positioned at Chicago and Halsted is the frontrunner for the town’s on line casino in line with stories from the Chicago Solar-Occasions, Chicago Tribune and Crain’s. All cite sources saying an announcement might come quickly.

Aldermen on particular committee increase considerations about Bally’s, Rivers, Onerous Rock on line casino finalists

However Lightfoot pushed again on these sources.

“The reporting as we speak prematurely of even the analysis committee assembly and making a suggestion to me, that is simply not correct,” she stated Tuesday.
The committee is led by Alderman Tom Tunney, and is tasked with vetting all three proposals for the Bally’s Tribune web site, Rivers 78 within the South Loop, and a Onerous Rock On line casino that might be close to Soldier Discipline.

READ MORE | Chicago on line casino bids: 3 finalists introduced by Mayor Lightfoot’s workplace

The committee has solely met as soon as.

“If it finally ends up being Bally’s, and it finally ends up as the results of a corrupt, secretive course of, I believe it is honest to say the residents of the north aspect will really feel betrayed by this mayor,” stated 2nd Ward Alderman Brian Hopkins.

“We have tried to be as clear as we presumably may very well be with various rounds of engagement,” Lightfoot stated.
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Throughout the road from the proposed Bally’s web site is a park with a playground that’s in style with households. Many neighbors are upset on the concept a on line casino might quickly be there.

“It is a very residential neighborhood, and you place a on line casino in it, and hastily you are going to get all of the visitors and all of the noise,” stated Jeff Positive, River North resident.

“It is a household neighborhood. We have raised each of our children right here on this neighborhood, and that is our park, and that is our group,” stated Reema Patel, River North resident.

After a alternative is made that bid should nonetheless be authorized by the town council. And with all three proposals going through aldermanic opposition, that may very well be a contentious battle.