Chicago City Council Approves Casino… Next Stop: Illinois Gaming Board

Chicago’s full City Council has approved Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s selection of a Bally’s Corp. proposal for a casino to be located along the banks of the Chicago River’s north branch in the huge former Chicago Tribune printing plant site.  

The vote was 41 to 7, but the lopsided vote in favor did not mean that all was business as usual. Crain’s Chicago Business reported that there were frequent verbal sparring matches and even shouting, but in the end the mayor got what she wanted. 

Next stop for the proposal is the Illinois Gaming Board, which must approve the huge proposal for it to finally move forward.  

In the meantime, the famous Medinah Temple, which occupies a full city block on Chicago’s North Side, will be converted into a temporary casino until the one being proposed now is finished.