Bally’s Chicago Casino Passes Another Zoning Hurdle

The proposal for Bally’s Illinois casino is slowly moving forward within the Chicago political system.

On Wednesday, the Chicago City Council gave the green light to the zoning plan for the proposed Bally’s Chicago in River West.

The Chicago city committee on Zoning, Landmarks and Building Standards approved the zoning plan with a vote of 10-4, the day before.

Bally’s is still waiting for approval from the Illinois Gaming Board to proceed with their proposal to build the largest casino in Illinois.

Illinois casino to be the largest

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot has thrown her support behind Bally’s $1.7 billion project, which has sparked lengthy discussions and debates. The revenue generated from this project will be allocated to the city’s police and fire pension funds. In June, Bally’s issued a $40 million check to the city.

Bally’s Chicago’s initial phase includes a casino, a small hotel (with a larger one planned for the next phase), an events center, theatre, and Riverwalk. Additionally, there are plans for an adjoining housing development.

Bally’s is looking forward to opening one of its premier locations in 2026, pending approval of a casino license from the Illinois Gaming Board.

Bally’s plans to open a temporary casino at Medinah Temple on N. Wabash Street in 2023 once it is approved.

Hiring minority workers essential, says Alderman

The new zoning for the area at Chicago Avenue and Halstead Street was approved by a 12-1 vote from the city planning agency on Monday, although there was some controversy surrounding the decision.

Alderman Walter Burnett Jr., whose ward is the proposed location for the casino, expressed concern about Bally’s recruitment practices and its connections with labor unions in Chicago.

In a Monday article by the Chicago Sun-Times, Burnett Jr. emphasized the importance of securing job opportunities for individuals in his community.

Burnett initially requested a written commitment from trade unions to support minority workers, but at Tuesday’s meeting, he retracted his concerns and expressed contentment with Bally’s commitment.

In a report by ABC7, Burnett Jr. stated his belief that there is a desire for him to avoid future upset. He expressed confidence that things will work out positively, citing the commitment to hiring individuals from their local community.

Christopher Jewett, Bally’s Vice President of Corporate Development, confirmed the company’s dedication to promoting diversity in hiring and contracting. He emphasized Bally’s goal of awarding 46% of construction contracts to minority or female-owned businesses and ensuring that at least 60% of the workforce is comprised of minorities.

Land deal complete to build Chicago casino

Bally’s has purchased the current 30-acre site where the Chicago Tribune printing plant is located. It is unclear whether the printing plant will be moved to a new location or if it will remain on the site.

Bally’s has sold the area back to Oak Street Real Estate Capital company in Chicago and entered into a 99-year lease agreement. Bally’s intends to use the lease payments to fund development costs. The proposed plans include constructing a 500-room hotel, a 3,000-seat theatre, and 4,000 gaming positions on the property.