City Council approves Bally's plan for River West casino
Critics have raised doubts the proposed casino can generate $200 million in revenue from the city, as the Lightfoot administration has said, calling those projections "fuzzy math."
Critics have raised doubts the proposed casino can generate $200 million in revenue from the city, as the Lightfoot administration has said, calling those projections "fuzzy math."
Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s casino gamble appears to be paying off, as Bally’s bid to build in River West cleared a key hurdle Monday. But as CBS 2’s Asal Rezaei reports, some aldermen and residents alike aren’t so pleased about it all.
"We feel very confident that we have the votes to make sure that this gets over the hurdle," Mayor Lightfoot said.
There is still a push from nearby residents to stop the billon-dollar Bally's project that is planned for the Chicago Tribune Freedom Center site in River West.
Bally's Corporation won over Mayor Lori Lightfoot with their plan for a Chicago casino in River West, but now, they need to get the neighborhood onboard.
"It's a very complex piece of urbanity here."
The city did not conduct a new safety study to determine how crime would be impacted by a casino - in hopes of getting the casino up and generating revenue quickly.
A temporary casino is also planned for the Medinah Temple in River North, and some feel it could bring more crime to the area. CBS 2's Marissa Perlman reports.
The mayor's pick still requires approval by the City Council, and needs the Illinois Gaming Board to approve a casino license for Bally's.
"It's going to take us time to get back and surpass the 60 million tourists we experienced in Chicago in 2019 and coming out of COVID, we need every single tool avail to spur economic growth, vibrancy and job creation."
Several aldermen criticized the makeup of the special committee, saying it should include council members whose wards might end up calling the casino home.
Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced Tuesday that the city has shortlisted three bids for a casino within the Chicago city limits.
The new casino is expect to bring in $200 million dollars every year, which will help pay for police and firefighter pension funds.
The Hard Rock Casino in Gary, Indiana is opening at 11:30 a.m. on Burr Street near I-80/94.
Ratcliff's lawsuit disputes the commission's right to take emergency action against him in December when the agency found out about the allegations against former Spectacle vice president John Keeler last January, who was indicted in September.
A top executive of an Indiana casino company that is building a new $400 million casino in Gary has been indicted on federal charges of illegally funneling campaign contributions to a former state lawmaker's unsuccessful congressional campaign, officials announced Tuesday.
Chicago can have a new casino. Gov. JB Pritzker Tuesday signed a new gaming tax bill into law that paves the way for the gambling center.
The casino said there are no known COVID-19 cases on the property, but it is suspending operations "out of an abundance of caution and to promote the social distancing recommended by health officials."
Sports betting is just days away from becoming legal in Indiana and the state's casinos are lining up to start collecting wagers.
Mayor Lori Lightfoot on Tuesday said the state statute that authorized casino gambling in Chicago would make it impossible for a casino operator to be successful.
According to the city, an "open and thorough community engagement process to solicit meaningful feedback on preferred areas" will take place. It will start first with an online survey, then a series of neighborhood town halls to get feedback.
The June 30 closure came as the current owner of the Majestic Star Casino in Gary is working to move it from along Lake Michigan to a location along the busy Interstate 80-94 in the city.
A bus went off the side of a bridge early Sunday near the Majestic Star Casino in Gary, Ind., leaving the driver unable to talk.
It was a reverse jackpot for an injured woman who got caught up in the slots. WBBM Newsradio's Bob Roberts reports.
When an Illinois grandmother bet a quarter in an Iowa slot machine in 2011, she thought she'd hit it big. The screen said: "Bonus Award - $41797550.16." But state officials later concluded the award was a computer glitch, and the Iowa Supreme Court ruled McKee didn't hit any jackpot -- no matter what the screen told her.
Former Riverside police Chief Tom Weitzel is appealing to the incoming Trump administration to get federal authorities involved next time a person kills any law enforcement officer.
The Bears (4-12) have two double-digit losing streaks in general manager Ryan Poles' three seasons.
Atlanta trailed 124-107 with 6:23 remaining in the game and used a 23-2 run to take its first lead since the first quarter.
A spokeswoman said no one was present when the bullet got into the garage wall, and no one was injured.
Christopher Sponholz, 39, of Waukesha, Wisconsin is charged with felony hit-and-run involving death in the hit-and-run that killed Hussain Farhat, 40, on Christmas Eve Tuesday,
Former Riverside police Chief Tom Weitzel is appealing to the incoming Trump administration to get federal authorities involved next time a person kills any law enforcement officer.
CPS denied doing any such thing—insisting it is bargaining in good faith.
Here's a look at some of the biggest stories to make headlines in 2024, including Mayor Brandon Johnson's clashes with the City Council to the end of the more than five-year-long Jussie Smollett saga.
Chicago Public Schools CEO Pedro Martinez accused school board members of "hijacking" negotiations and trying to intimidate his team.
Martinez's lawyer says he is asking a judge to guarantee that no one can stand in the way of Martinez doing his job while he is still in office.
Many turned out to take advantage of day-after-Christmas sales that can be hard to pass up.
At Yorktown Center in Lombard, just about everyone who spoke with CBS News Chicago on Monday said the act of going out and physically shopping puts them in the Christmas spirit.
Scammers know many of us are waiting for packages this holiday season.
The National Retail Foundation projected roughly 157 million people across the country would shop last-minute and try to wrap up their shopping lists.
The strike was deliberately authorized in the midst of the busy holiday delivery season nationwide for a reason—with the Teamsters Union pushing the company for a contract.
Some 13 oz. bags of Lay's Classic Potato Chips may contain an undeclared allergen, according to the snack company.
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services announced Wednesday that it had detected presumptive positive human case of H5N1 in Barron County.
The sisters share a special bond of getting a second chance at life, which they both received at the age of 38 years old.
An even larger investment of $500 million is going toward 10 new outpatient facilities throughout the South Side that will add 85,000 health care appointments each year.
Scientists used the NanoGripper to grab particles from the SARS-CoV2 virus that causes COVID-19.
Many turned out to take advantage of day-after-Christmas sales that can be hard to pass up.
It may seem like a brave choice to launch a company making old-fashioned mechanical watches—when many wear new-fangled electronic alternatives. But the entrepreneurs' mission is bigger than just watchmaking.
At Yorktown Center in Lombard, just about everyone who spoke with CBS News Chicago on Monday said the act of going out and physically shopping puts them in the Christmas spirit.
Sunday night marked the last night in business for Strat's, after 38 years.
The National Retail Foundation projected roughly 157 million people across the country would shop last-minute and try to wrap up their shopping lists.
Taylor also played two nights at Ravinia this past June.
Mindy Kaling and Morris Chestnut announced the nominations for the 82nd annual Golden Globes, with 10 nominees revealed live on CBS News.
The lawsuit alleges the unidentified girl was raped at a Video Music Awards afterparty in 2000.
Social media sleuths noticed that the house next door to the iconic "Home Alone" house in Winnetka is now up for sale.
Here are the top songs, artists, and albums streamed on Spotify in Chicago this year, according to communications agency Burson Global.
Chief Meteorologist Albert Ramon has your 10 p.m. First Alert Weather forecast for Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024.
A deadly bridge collapse in Baltimore, campus protest encampments on behalf of the Palestinian cause, the devastation from hurricanes Helene and Milton, and the murder of UnitedHealthcare Chief Executive Officer Brian Thompson, and the solar eclipse are among the headlines that gripped the news this year. Bradley Blackburn reports.
Former Riverside police Chief Tom Weitzel is hoping President-elect Donald Trump will support his initiative to turn killing any on-duty law enforcement officer into a federal offense. Jermont Terry reports.
Christopher Sponholz is charged with felony hit-and-run involving death in the crash that killed Hussain Farhat.
So far, the National Weather Service has not confirmed the severity of the tornadoes.
The boy was shot multiple times in his lower body inside a home.
A spokeswoman said no one was present when the bullet got into the garage wall, and no one was injured.
The Bears (4-12) have two double-digit losing streaks in general manager Ryan Poles' three seasons.
Here's a look at some of the biggest stories to make headlines in 2024, including Mayor Brandon Johnson's clashes with the City Council to the end of the more than five-year-long Jussie Smollett saga.
Insects emerged from the ground, the moon eclipsed the sun, a purse full of cereal was spotted and Chicago fell in love with a rodent-shaped hole.
"San Antonio has really led the way in using aerial surveillance technology to prevent these activities," said Ald. Brian Hopkins (2nd), who chairs the City Council Public Safety Committee.
Customers said contractors from the company, Orange Elephant Roofing & Solar, seemed simply to disappear into thin air. But that is only the tip of the iceberg.
Survivors, advocates and experts have weighed in on Mayor Brandon Johnson's pledge to create a task force to study the safety of Black women in Chicago.
The Chicago-based company is accused of tricking diners about delivery fees, misleading drivers about pay, and listing restaurants on its platform without permission.
Now-retired Joliet police Sgt. Javier Esqueda was charged in connection with leaking squad car video of a man who died in Joliet police custody.
The Bears (4-12) have two double-digit losing streaks in general manager Ryan Poles' three seasons.
Atlanta trailed 124-107 with 6:23 remaining in the game and used a 23-2 run to take its first lead since the first quarter.
The Ramblers (9-4) were led by Miles Rubin, who posted 16 points and three blocks.
Jason Dickinson scored for the 'Hawks with 33 seconds left, but the Blackhawks were unable to come up with the tying goal.
Nikola Vucevic had 17 points and 12 rebounds for the Bulls.
Former Riverside police Chief Tom Weitzel is appealing to the incoming Trump administration to get federal authorities involved next time a person kills any law enforcement officer.
Christopher Sponholz, 39, of Waukesha, Wisconsin is charged with felony hit-and-run involving death in the hit-and-run that killed Hussain Farhat, 40, on Christmas Eve Tuesday,
The boy was shot multiple times in his lower body inside a home.
After sexually assaulting the woman, the man stole some of her belongings, and fled through the back door.
Here's a look at some of the biggest stories to make headlines in 2024, including Mayor Brandon Johnson's clashes with the City Council to the end of the more than five-year-long Jussie Smollett saga.