Chicago Casino Town Hall: Bally's

The city recommended the Bally’s Tribune proposal as Mayor Lightfoot’s pick out of three finalists last week. Many aldermen said the process is moving too fast at Monday’s City Council meeting. Read @BlockClubCHI‘s coverage here: https://blockclubchicago.org/2022/05/09/chicago-casino-is-the-parking-meter-deal-all-over-again-river-north-ald-says-as-he-vows-to-block-it/

The public will share thoughts on the Bally’s project in tonight’s town hall. City reps and Bally’s Corporation members will answer questions.

For reference, here’s the city’s casino site, which includes the recommendation report: https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/sites/chicago-casino/home.html

Livestream kicks off at 7:06. Around 170 others are viewing remotely. Others attended in-person

We’re watching a video address from Mayor Lightfoot. She says casino’s important for tourism dollars and would “signal to the world that our economy is on a strong path towards equitable recovery”

Lightfoot touts casino as solution to support police and fire pensions without raising property taxes. The casino will provide a dedicated revenue stream to help support the City’s police and fire pension funds.

Bally’s has entered into a labor peace agreement, she says

Speaker says it’s the third round of public engagement on casino. First round was last December. We’ll hear a brief presentation, followed by 90 minutes of open mic. Comment cards are available for people to submit questions too.

“We won’t be curating questions tonight like we did at the prior events,” speaker says

@AldTomTunney, chair of casino committee, speaks. “There’s still more work to be done and more listening to be done in regards to the selection of Bally as the casino operator of Chicago … but we’re confident in the mayor’s choice”

He quotes Reagan (“we trust but verify”)

Casino committee vice chair @AldermanErvin is also here

“I know there are many residents who support the casino and support the Bally’s Casino proposal, but I also recognize that there are others who are concerned and worried and perhaps even angry about this decision,” speaker says.

She asks residents “to resist the temptation to heckle or yell out” and says signs are not allowed

Deputy Mayor @chicagosamir presents. “I think I see some workers out here and I’m glad that you’re here” he says. Here are his slides. https://t.co/4DYk0ViKkM

https://twitter.com/maia_spoto/status/1524907562365341702?s=20&t=4cmG5ykXgm_4qzIHldlPGg I broke the thread but we’re back.

CFO Jennie Bennett speaks to potential financial + economic benefits of the casino. Here are her slides. She says “these minority and equity hiring goals are some of the most aggressive of the city’s negotiated and various projects.” https://t.co/Zd1BMpqKsA

@chicagosamir says in addition to gaming the casino will provide an “entertainment district.” There’ll be a museum on site, a theater, open space integration with the river and an extended Riverwalk, hotel, restaurants and bars

Bennett again, responding to public safety concerns raised in earlier community engagement sessions. “This development is an opportunity to speed up the post pandemic recovery” https://t.co/m6NmFx0hnp

back to @chicagosamir re: transportation concerns. “It’s really important that this site has more access, we absolutely heard you on that.” More community engagement to come on traffic improvement details https://t.co/tZPkjkMk22

More of his slides (including the upcoming timeline): https://t.co/t66R2j4dBB

To submit feedback you can email chicagocasino@cityofchicago.org, he says

Chairman Soo Kim from Bally’s speaks. “We’re here to build a flagship property that we can call the center of our gaming empire”

Says Bally’s currently operates a casino outside Providence. It’s fully unionized and has highest gaming taxes in the country but has seen success, he says.

“We recognize that we’re not from Chicago and so what we’ve had to do is actually be more deliberate and more intensive or approach,” he says.

** more intensive in our approach

Now we’re watching a promo video for the proposed casino. Q&A next.

about 20 people are lined up on each side of the stage. Speaker says she’ll cut off the microphone at 90 seconds. Asks respondents to also stay at 90 seconds.

“I’m also going to ask that we not repeat ourselves. And so if you’re standing in line and somebody’s asked the same question or made the same comment that you had planned to make, then I would ask you to sit down.”

She also asks only one member of each organization to speak. Enough time for 40 questions, she says.

Tyrone Muhammad from Ex-Cons for Community and Social Change says he doesn’t believe the city’s promise that opportunities from the casino will trickle down to help the city’s Black communities.

“The only thing this city has for Black men … is prisons and graveyards,” he says.

Soo Kim is worth over 500 million dollars, Muhammad says. “I guarantee you he hasn’t done the intense research and been around our communities.”

Kim speaks to opportunity for residents to purchase a $250 share of the casino in his response

Willie JR Fleming of Chicago Anti Eviction Campaign: “Too much is given much more as required is required, particularly on the North Side.” Chicago discriminates against people coming home from prison, he says.

He’s asking for jobs and contracts set aside from philanthropic activities, vendor activities, etc

City rep says there is “an excellent benefit program for semi-skilled workers”

I’m observing that the microphone cuts off for public participants who speak over 90 seconds, but not for city reps/speakers from Bally’s who speak over 90 seconds

Public participant (I didn’t catch his name) asks what the plan is to prevent predatory marketing against marginalized communities, particularly in Chinatown. He asks Bally’s to commit to problem gambling support services on-site

Bennett says Illinois Gambling Act requires strict regulation around these topics.

@BlockClubCHI reported on community advocacy from Chinatown leaders raising concerns about the casino in December: https://blockclubchicago.org/2021/12/15/if-a-chicago-casino-opens-near-chinatown-community-members-say-problem-gamblers-need-support/

public speaker Melvin Bailey: “We are tired of the violence.”

“We need to come up with a real plan that has someone that looks us like sitting at the table with you guys,” Bailey says. Calls on Bally’s people to commit to serving the community

President of Tribune Real Estate holdings says “something’s gonna happen here” (At the Tribune site). If not Bally’s, he says something else will be constructed on site. He expresses support of Bally’s program

A River North resident says 10 of Bally’s 14 casinos were acquired in 2020 and ‘21. Says this is evidence Bally’s does not have significant experience building casinos. City of Richmond did not take Bally’s bid. Also cites inconsistencies in press releases

Kim: Bally’s was called Twin River Worldwide Holdings years ago, manager who built casino 15 years ago is still the manager

A member of Stop Predatory Gambling Illinois says casinos are shown to increase gambling addiction. 1 in 3 people who are addicted to gambling have considered suicide according to a survey, he said. “No amount of revenue to the city is worth selling out people’s well-being”

Another River North resident asks: what financial collateral will be put in place if Bally’s goes away in five years?

Kim says the agreement was signed with full faith and credit. Bennett says Bally’s has 1.7 Billion in liquid assets

Hospitality leader and River North residents says they’re facing a labor crisis. He’s worried about Bally’s taking away jobs from smaller, family-owned businesses. “We don’t need more jobs right now.”

Mayekar says the goal is to “build the pie” and bring new workers into hospitality sector.

Richard Levy, who lives across the street from the site asks what extending the riverwalk means. He also asks about noise control for outdoor music venue

City rep says they’re receptive to working with neighbors to find solutions, asks people to come to city with input

78-year-old individual condo owner within walking distance of the site: “I love to walk. I love to be safe.” He says casino decision impacts people who live there. “I’m not a wealthy man, but I would pay the additional taxes”

Kim asks to show another promotional video. The crowd boos.

Another River North resident says children and teens are at risk because the casino would be put next to a children’s play lot and park.

Kim asks again to show a promotional video. Crowd boos again. Video plays. Moderator: “Do not play anything. Who put that on?”

Another River North resident and attorney said no slides have addressed how benefit Bally’s will bring the neighborhood. “It doesn’t belong here,” he said.

Mayekar: This is a transitional neighborhood and this is consistent with what we’ve seen in city plans

Another River North resident says this location is harder to access from airports and convention centers, says infrastructure connecting the site to a tourist hub would be necessary

“This location shifts the costs of government from the rich to the poor,” he said.

Mayekar said this is the site that is very close to tens of thousands of hotel rooms

Neighbor to Tribune site asks for data — name one casino that has improved public safety. He worries about property values. Says adding roads will only add more cars. Calls site selection process opaque and untransparent

Bennett says there has been an extensive engagement process and this isn’t the end of it

Bennett also says re:public safety — an independent study showed very marginal crime increase.

Person who lives close to temporary casino site says he’s worried about property values and public safety

Mayekar: “Having vacancies is one of the worst things from a public safety standpoint.” Will invest millions in public safety for the temporary site.

CPD rep says they are looking at increased video surveillance and officer presence in the temporary site’s neighborhood

Lee Weir, who bought his first condo near Tribune site, asks reps to consider getting rid of pedestrian bridge. “That will only lead to an unwanted connection between the casino and the residential neighborhood”

Kim: “I really want to show you this little video.” Says the bridge isn’t happening. He describes the video in detail.

Another resident worries about daycares, schools, playgrounds. “The media is already announcing the plan like it’s a done deal.” Is the city open to alternatives?

Mayekar: “We really believe this is the best site for the city.” This is the site that will go toward the City Council committee

President of River North Residents Association Brian Israel says 87% of people responding to an April 6 survey opposed the casino. Says Council hasn’t had a co-equal part in the plan.

Karen Kent, President of UNITE HERE Local 1 (The area’s hospitality union) said many workers are still laid off. Said they want full-time jobs. Hopes casino project will provide jobs and hope

Jonathan Solomon, River North resident, asks for documents related to the agreement to be shared.

A member of UNITE Local One who was laid off after working in the hotel industry for 27 years says he needs to see the casino come to Chicago. He asks: how he can be sure the city and Bally’s will follow through on employment agreements?

** UNITE HERE Local One

Another public speaker asks what the plan is to support unhoused and unemployed people. Bennett said there’s a new agreement to hire 15% of employees from socially and economically disadvantaged neighborhoods

Another resident asks if it’s possible to get a construction job for the casino project if you’re not in a union.

Bally’s rep says they’re looking at training programs for non-union people to come and work.

River North resident asks how casino will rectify the city’s budget shortfall, how the city will hire more police and how Bally’s will make a lot of money with 40% gross receipts tax

Bennett says the city expects improved revenues to help reduce that number but structural gap still needs to be addressed. Mayekar says casino is a lever to grow the economy.

Carter says CPD started an internal recruitment campaign unit and a full-time team is traveling across US. They’re visiting HBCUs, reaching out to Latino communities, going to military more aggressively and gotten exclusive commitments from Marine Corps to increase hiring

Bridgeport Alliance member asks for commitment from CDOT to barrier-protected bicycle lanes North- and South-bound on Halstead and Chicago Ave.

CDOT rep says the city has built 100 miles of bike lanes in 2 years and wants to see end-to-end protective infrastructure on Halstead Street.

We’re watching another promo video for Bally’s.

And the town hall is done at 9:51 p.m.

For more meeting coverage, check out http://documenters.org.