Chicago City Council Approves Bally's $1.7 Billion Casino Plan
Chicago City Council Approves Bally's $1.7 billion Casino Plan. The plan commission and the zoning committee had already approved the amended proposal on Monday and Tuesday. Baly's was designated as the city’s preferred operator in May, beating out Rush Street and Hard Rock. Mayor Lori Lightfoot kickstarted the bidding process by rewriting the tax rates for a downtown casino. The downtown casinos generate $800 million in revenue and $200 million annually in annual tax revenue for the Chicago city at full maturity.
Chicago City Council Approves Bally's $1.7 billion Casino Plan. Baly's plans for the 30-acre parcel containing the casino were changed after community engagement meetings. River West residents were opposed to the pedestrian bridge and outdoor entertainment venue. The plan also added an additional half-a-field of green space to include a dog park, a riverwalk path along the Chicago River, and a three-level underground garage.