Bally’s Files To Evict Chicago Tribune From Site Of Future Illinois Casino

The owners of the soon-to-be largest casino in Illinois have started the process of evicting the Chicago Tribune from their River West property.

Bally’s has informed the Tribune of its relocation.

The Tribune editors and reporters work out of the Freedom Center, where they also have a printing site. Additionally, other news organizations like the Chicago Sun-Times, Wall Street Journal, and New York Times use the same printing machines at this location.

In the future, Bally’s intends to demolish the Freedom Center, a building constructed by the Tribune in 1979. In its location, the company aims to construct a $1.7 billion casino complex that will include a gaming area and a hotel. This will mark the inaugural casino of its kind in Chicago.

Bally’s Timeline With The Printing Site

Tribune Publishing invested $150 million in building the printing site, which would be worth nearly $590 million in today’s money. The Freedom Center was included in the assets Nexstar Media obtained in its $4.1 billion acquisition of Tribune Media in 2019.

In November 2022, Bally’s purchased the building for $200 million, only to quickly sell it to a real estate company for $500 million and then lease it back.

Bally’s has the right to relocate the Tribune, but the publishing company must find a new location within two years before casino construction begins. Soo Kim, Bally’s chairman, promised to fund the relocation of the Chicago Tribune.

The publication reported that Kim tried to save the Freedom Center by working with an architect to come up with a plan to move the casino and hotel slightly. This would have transformed the site of the printing press into a popular tourist destination and a tenant of the casino. Unfortunately, Kim stated that city officials turned down the proposal.

According to the Chicago Tribune, Bally’s and Tribune Publishing are in the process of using an arbitrator to resolve compensation issues. Bally’s is responsible for covering the expenses associated with relocation and finding a new printing location.

How Close Are We To Bally’s Grand Opening?

Illinois casino fans eagerly anticipating the opening of Bally’s permanent location will have to wait until 2026. The 30-acre gaming facility is not expected to be operational until then, as the gaming license application is still being reviewed by the Illinois Gaming Board (IGB).

Thankfully, a temporary casino is in the works as a provisional solution. The IGB has granted supplier licenses to Medinah Temple to run a temporary casino until the main venue is built.

Bally’s and city officials are hoping to open the temporary location this summer, pending approval of the IGB license.