Chicago Mayor Shortlists Candidates For City’s Sole Casino License

Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot has shortlisted three bidders to progress to the next stage of the bidding process for the Chicago’s sole casino license. Following extensive evaluations, Bally’s Corporation at the Tribune Site, Hard Rock at the ONE Central Site, and Rivers 78 at the 78 site (listed in alphabetical order) have been named finalists to develop a world-class casino-resort and entertainment experience in Chicago. From this group, the City will choose a final proposal to submit as the developer and operator of the Chicago casino for approval by City Council.

Chicago Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot said: “We have spent countless hours analysing each proposal for Chicago’s casino license and have determined Bally’s Tribune, Hard Rock Chicago, and Rivers 78 best fit the core goals we want to achieve for the City’s first integrated casino-resort.”

“Each proposal offers economic, employment, and equity-focused opportunities for Chicago, while simultaneously enhancing the City’s cultural, entertainment and architectural scenes with world-class amenities and design. Our teams look forward to heading into discussions with the finalists and getting one step closer to bringing this decades-long project to fruition.”

The City of Chicago first declared intentions to develop a casino more than 30 years ago. In addition to creating thousands of jobs, the casino will generate approximately $400 million a year in gaming and other revenues for the City and State of Illinois. The City believes the casino project will meaningfully support Chicago’s tourism industry, finances, job growth and economic development in addition to enhancing property values in the surrounding area.

Bally’s Corporation – Tribune Site: Bally’s Corporation has proposed a $1.74 billion casino project and hotel on a portion of the current Tribune Publishing Plant. The proposal includes a 3,000-seat theatre; an Immerse Agency exhibition experience, a sports museum; an extension of the Riverwalk; a pedestrian bridge; a 500-key hotel tower; an outdoor park; an outdoor music venue; an amenity terrace featuring a large pool spa, fitness centre and sun deck; and six restaurants, cafes, and a food hall. The casino will offer space for 3,400 slots and 173 table games. The bidder has projected the development will add 9,750 construction jobs and 2,002 permanent casino jobs. Bally’s is slated to open a temporary casino in Q2 2023 with the permanent location anticipated for Q1 2026.

Hard Rock – ONE Central Site: The HR Chicago, LLC (“Hard Rock”) proposal includes the development of a $1.74 billion casino project on a portion of the site known as ONE Central. ONE Central is a large, proposed development north of the MPEA convention centre on the lakefront. This proposal includes a 3,500-seat Hard Rock Live venue; a Hard Rock Music and Entertainment experience; a 500-room hotel tower; a “Rock” spa; rooftop space; outdoor green space; several restaurants, cafes, and a food hall; and six bars and lounges. The casino will offer space for 3,000 slots and 166 table games. The bidder has projected the development will add 16,607 construction jobs and 3,140 permanent casino jobs. Hard Rock expects the temporary casino to open in Q2 2023, and the permanent casino in Q3 2025.

Rivers – 78: The Rivers 78 proposal includes the development of a $1.62 billion casino project on a portion of the site known as “The 78.” The 78 is a large development on the near south side of the City. The proposal a riverfront plaza; an observation tower with indoor and outdoor space; a Harbor Hall multi-purpose riverfront venue for live entertainment, culture, arts and community programs with rooftop space; a 300-room hotel tower; and eight restaurants, cafes, a food hall, five bars and lounges. The casino includes space for 2,600 slots and 190 table games. The bidder has projected the development will add 3,410 to 4,375 construction jobs and 3,068 permanent casino jobs. Rivers plans to open a temporary casino on the 78 site in Q2 2024, and the permanent location in Q4 2025.

Additional submissions included Bally’s Corporation at the McCormick Place Truck Marshaling and Rivers Chicago at the McCormick Place at Lakeside Center. The overview of these proposals can be found in the evaluation report.

Each finalist and the City will participate in a community engagement meeting, offering the opportunity for public questions and comments. These meetings will take place April 5-7 from 6 pm – 8 pm CT and will be livestreamed. In-person priority will be given to residents in the zip code, and then on a first-come first-serve basis capped at 300 attendees.

Following the community engagement meetings, the City will continue its discussions with each of the shortlisted teams. The community engagement and negotiations will provide the basis for the City’s selection of a winning team. The finalists will be evaluated with respect to the same core goals laid out in the initial RFP.

Once a finalist is selected, a comprehensive host community agreement memorialising the agreed upon terms will be prepared. The host community agreement will then be evaluated by an Aldermanic special committee. The committee will consist of all the Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen of City Council Committees as well as President Pro Tempore Alderman Brendan Reilly, 42nd Ward. The Special Committee will be chaired by Alderman Tom Tunney, 44th Ward and vice chaired by Alderman Jason Ervin, 28th Ward. All of City Council will be involved in the process for the final recommendation.

The formal development process will begin following City Council approval and approval from the Illinois Gaming Board.

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