In Chicago, residents of the areas where Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s three casino developer finalists propose to build casinos expressed their opposition, at times vehemently, at recent community meetings. Now alderpersons are stepping up their criticisms of the proposed Hard Rock, Bally’s and Rivers 78 casinos that would be built in or near their wards.
Third Ward Alderwoman Pat Dowell, whose district includes the Hard Rock, part of the One Central development, acknowledged the city needs casino revenue. But Dowell, chairwoman of the city council’s budget committee, added, “The devil is in the details,” and said the One Central site doesn’t cut it since Hard Rock “would be dropped into an existing, well-established family community.” She said she’s concerned about density, public safety and the project’s financial projections.
Brendan Reilly, representing the 42nd Ward, site of the Bally’s proposal, said, “I support the city’s efforts to site a casino in Chicago. Our public safety pension systems are counting on it.” But he noted, locating it into “one of the city’s already thriving, fastest-growing, high-density, mixed-use neighborhoods would be a wasted economic development opportunity for Chicago.”
Second Ward Alderman Brian Hopkins also opposes the Bally’s proposal because of traffic issue. He said, “I agree with the neighborhood organizations’ points about the traffic challenges, and I haven’t seen anything to suggest the developers have an answer yet.” He said Rush Street Gaming magnate Neil Bluhm’s proposed Rivers 78 casino with Related Midwest “has its advantages,” such as a 1,000-foot-tall observation tower that could draw tourists apart from the casino.
Alderman Byron Sigcho-Lopez of the 25th Ward said he believes Dowell’s statement about Hard Rock is a maneuver to give Lightfoot political cover to choose Rivers 78. He said, “We have heard from two very influential aldermen. We’ve heard from Alderman Reilly on the Bally’s proposal. Now, we’re hearing from Alderwoman Dowell on Hard Rock. So, the writing is on the wall” for Rivers 78.
Sigcho-Lopez noted Lightfoot has received more than $200,000 in campaign contributions from Bluhm’s daughters. “The relationships that Mayor Lightfoot has with this particular casino operator certainly has our community concerned,” Sigcho-Lopez said.
Speaking out in support of the Bally’s proposal is Alderman Walter Burnett Jr. of the 27th Ward. He said, “There are a lot of residents near Bally’s that are against it, but there are some silent majorities for it. They’re just not speaking out as much.” Burnett added many area residents are interested in casino jobs and contracts, and Bally’s is the only operator that offered a $25 million upfront payment to the city.
Lightfoot commented, “Whenever you site a big project like this, there’s always a level of NIMBY-ism (Not In My Backyard) that happens. There are people who say, ‘Great, but do it someplace else.’
“This has got to be a decision that’s made for the future of our city and not specific to a particular neighborhood. We need to take those neighborhood considerations in mind, to be sure. But this is something that will benefit the entire city.” Addressing those who don’t want a casino in their neighborhood, Lightfoot asked, “Would you rather that your taxes go up?
