Chicago alderman oppose proposed casino sites
Mayor Lori Lightfoot will have her work cut out for her as the city tomorrow begins public hearings on the three finalists to own and operate the proposed Chicago casino.
The problem: overcoming moderate to strong community opposition to each of the sites, with some aldermen stopping just short of declaring "not in my ward."
For instance, Ald. Brendan Reilly, 42nd, whose ward adjoins the proposed Bally’s site on the Tribune printing plant property at Chicago Avenue and Halsted Street, said in his latest constituent newsletter that neighboring residents “are clearly opposed” to locating a casino there and that he has “serious concerns” about it.
“My constituents are not enthused,” he said in a follow-up email. “I listen very carefully to my constituents.”
Similar comments came earlier from Ald. Brian Hopkins, 2nd, whose ward also adjoins the property and who says he is worried about traffic congestion.
But Ald. Walter Burnett, 27th, whose ward includes the land, said he’s “open-minded” about the possibility.
“I think the community’s split,” Burnett said. “A lot of older people like casinos. But you have to think of everything.” Burnett added that he believes traffic problems on the site are solvable.
The second finalist—Rivers 78’s proposal to build the casino complex as part of Related Midwest’s development at Clark Street and Roosevelt Road—does not look very good to Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez, 25th, whose ward now includes the property.
In a phone interview, Sigcho-Lopez said 80% of those surveyed by his office so far are opposed, with particular concerns in the South Loop and neighboring Chinatown.
“Based on what we’ve heard so far, there’s no support for a casino on The 78 property,” said Sigcho-Lopez, pointing to worries about traffic, public safety, gambling addiction and other “quality of life” concerns. The alderman also questioned whether a gambling casino and the University of Illinois’ Discovery Partners Institute can coexist on the same property. But DPI sources say the research group has told the city it has no objection to the casino.
Ald. Pat Dowell, 3rd, whose ward is immediately to the east of The 78, said the emails she’s received from constituents “are generally opposed” to selecting it for a casino.
Dowell’s ward also flanks the location of the third finalist, on property near 18th Street that would be part of the One Central development on air rights west of Solider Field. Dowell said she’s also received some letters opposing it, but “not as many” as with The 78.
The Hard Rock site is in the ward of Ald. Sophia King, 4th. She was not available for comment but was a vehement opponent of a proposal eliminated earlier in the competition to use truck marshaling yards west of McCormick Place.
By long-standing Chicago political tradition, local aldermen generally have veto power over any proposed development. Lightfooot has said she does not believe in so-called aldermanic prerogative because it has been abused, but she also has emphasized that the city wants extensive local participation in the casino selection process.
The first of the hearings, to be conducted by a special City Council committee chaired by Ald. Tom Tunney, 44th, is set for 6-8 p.m. tomorrow at the Harold Washington Central Library, 400 S. State St., and will focus on the Hard Rock proposal. The Bally’s hearing is set for the same time Wednesday at the Tribune plant at 700 W. Chicago Ave., with Rivers 78 on Thursday at the Dorin Forum at 725 W. Roosevelt Road.
Lightfoot’s office did not have any further comment today.
