Chicago Casino Opposition Piles Up As More Local Officials Express Concern
As we get closer and closer to a final decision on the Chicago casino license, the backlash continues to mount.
On Monday, a particular meeting of the Chicago City Council was held, during which workers officials took turns criticizing the current procedure. Three bidders are still up for bid, but none of them have a work agreement in place.
Bob Reiter, president of the Chicago Federation of Labor, said:
& ldquo, We recognize the importance of revenue from development tourism taxes to our city. However, it would be disrespectful to the whole Chicago labor movement to advance without a commitment to paying life salary and respecting workers’ rights. & rdquo,
At least some regional leaders are being affected by the worries. Ald. A labor agreement, according to Leslie Hairston, fifth, is crucial if this is going to have a snowball & rsquo, chance of succeeding anywhere. & rdquo,
According to Jennie Huang Bennett, chief financial officer of Chicago, the town has informed the remaining applicants that a work agreement may be crucial to the final decision.
Bally & rsquo, s Chicago, Hard Rock, and Rivers 78 are the three bidders. Furthermore, the labour problems are not the first issues these businesses have encountered.
Officials and locals speak out against Chicago casinos.
The city held community meetings for each casino proposal earlier this month. All three groups faced tough questions, and there was even a protest outside of one of the meetings.
We & rsquo will quickly review the key issues and / or noteworthy criticisms for each bid.
Rivers 78
There are severe worries that locating a casino but nearer to Chinatown might be detrimental to locals.
David Wu, Pui Tak Center executive director, said of the Chinese community:
& ldquo, As immigrants, they put in a lot of effort in restaurants and other establishments, and their lives are difficult. As you are aware, I & rsquo, the allure of gambling has been working extremely hard and making only a small amount of progress. I might be able to hit it abundant financially. & rdquo,
The lack of problem gambling tools is a concern in part because of cultural and language barriers.
Executive Director of the Coalition for a Better Chinese American Community, Grace Chan McKibben, took part in the demonstration outside the Rivers 78 meet. She remarked:
We are most worried about having a casino close to Chinatown, & ldquo. & rdquo,
McKibben has also said that Chinatown residents have been “uniquely preyed upon” by gaming companies.
In the meantime, Ald. Additionally, Byron Sigcho Lopez( 25th ) is against the plan. He even claimed that the selection process was biased and rigged in favor of the Rivers & rsquo.
One Central Hard Rock
Increased sound, traffic, and crime, along with lower property values, are the main causes of the criticism leveled at these proposals.
Ald. According to Pat Dowell III, she is unable to help Hard Rock andrsquo’s plan.
The Hard Rock Casino at One Central may be relocated to the South Loop, a thriving, established community group in Chicago’s Prairie District. I’m worried about the thickness of the Hard Rock Casino plan as a result. & rdquo,
Locals attended the group gathering. expressed worry about the One Northern growth, which is where the game is supposed to be built but does not yet exist. Hard Rock development executives, however, insisted that the game project could proceed despite the One Key development’s stagnation.
Chicago’s Bally & rsquo, s
Many residents of River North and River West spoke out against the Bally & rsquo casino at the meeting, citing falling real estate values, increased noise and traffic, etc.
Although some Chicagoans support a casino in the area, they would rather it not be constructed there.
Ald. 42nd Brendan Reilly is thrown into that pile. He declared:
The concerns expressed by residents of the River North, River West, and Fulton River District are given the same weight and consideration by & ldquo as they are by those of those who live in the 3rd and 25th wards. Our public safety pension systems are depending on the City & rsquo’s efforts to open a casino in Chicago and Madison. & rdquo,