Bally’s Chicago Casino Passes Another Zoning Hurdle

The plan for Bally’s Illinois casino continues to slowly progress through the Chicago political system.

The Chicago City Council approved the zoning plan for the proposed Bally’s Chicago in River West on Wednesday.

The zoning plan was endorsed by the Chicago city committee on Zoning, Landmarks and Building Standards with a vote of 10-4, a day earlier.

Bally’s still requires the green light from the Illinois Gaming Board to move forward with their plan to construct the biggest casino in Illinois.

Illinois casino to be the largest

Bally’s $1.7-billion-dollar project, which has been a subject of long discussion and debate, is backed by Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot. She has designated the revenue for the city’s police and fire pension funds. In June, Bally’s issued a $40 million check to the city.

The first phase of Bally’s Chicago would encompass a casino, a small-scale hotel (with a larger one planned for phase two), an events center, theatre and Riverwalk. An adjoining housing development is also planned.

Bally’s anticipates inaugurating one of its flagship locations in 2026. However, the company is currently awaiting the green light for a casino license from the Illinois Gaming Board.

Once approved, Bally’s intends to launch a temporary casino at Medinah Temple on N. Wabash Street in 2023.

Hiring minority workers essential, says Alderman

The city planning agency approved the new zoning for the area at Chicago Avenue and Halstead Street on Monday by a 12-1 vote, but not without some controversy.

Alderman Walter Burnett Jr., in whose ward the casino is set to be established, voiced his worries regarding Bally’s recruitment methods and its ties with the labor unions in Chicago.

In a story published by the Chicago Sun-Times on Monday, Burnett Jr. stated, “I need to ensure job availability for people in my community.”

Burnett expressed his desire for a written commitment from trade unions to assist minority workers. However, during Tuesday’s meeting, he withdrew his grievances, stating his satisfaction with Bally’s commitment.

“According to an ABC7 story, Burnett Jr. expressed his belief that they don’t want him to be upset in the future. He said, “They are committed to employing people from our neighborhood. Hence, I am optimistic everything will turn out fine.”

Christopher Jewett, the Vice President of Corporate Development at Bally’s, assured that the company will honor its commitment towards minority hiring and contracting. He conveyed Bally’s aim to allocate 46% of all construction contracts to minority or female-owned firms. Moreover, he stated that a minimum of 60% of the workforce should comprise minorities.

Land deal complete to build Chicago casino

Bally’s has acquired the approximately 30-acre site presently occupied by a Chicago Tribune printing plant. It remains uncertain if the printing plant will be relocated or if it will continue its operations in a different location within the site.

The area has been sold back to Oak Street Real Estate Capital company in Chicago by Bally’s. They have struck a deal to lease the property for a duration of 99 years. Bally’s plans to use the lease payments as a way to generate capital for development costs. The preliminary proposal involves building a hotel with 500 rooms, a theatre with a seating capacity of 3,000, and 4,000 gaming positions within.