At the recent community meetings featuring the three finalists for Chicago’s downtown casino license, slick videos and gaming company officials’ speeches took up most of the allotted time. Six hours were scheduled for the meetings but less than two hours were set aside for Chicagoans to question the development teams from Rush Street Gaming, Hard Rock and Bally’s.
When questions finally were allowed, residents expressed concerns over traffic property values, crime, quality of life and gambling addiction. Many were not convinced a casino would in any way be beneficial to Chicago.
At this point, observers said, it’s not clear if any of the three proposals has the leading edge, or if any of the plans could gain 26 votes in the city council. Not one of the three alderpersons who represent the wards where a casino would be located has endorsed the proposal. Alderman Walter Burnett said he’s open to Bally’s proposal for the River West neighborhood. Alderwoman Sophia King has taken a neutral stance on Hard Rock’s plan to build a casino over train tracks west of Soldier Field.
Alderman Byron Sigcho Lopez, however, has made it clear he’s not a supporter of the proposal from Neil Bluhm’s Rush Street Gaming to build the Rivers 78 Casino between the South Loop and Chinatown. Related Midwest has proposed a large development along the Chicago River there, known as the 78.
Sigcho Lopez said, “I have serious, legitimate concerns. I’m concerned the writing is already on the wall,” referring to Bluhm’s close ties to Chicago’s political and economic leaders. Sigcho Lopez is the only city council member whose ward includes a potential casino who was not asked to join Lightfoot’s special committee that will help determine the casino developer.
All three proposals would generate approximately $200 million for the city’s police and fire pension funds as well as create thousands of new jobs.
