The ability to have Chicago’s only casino license will also be financial windfall to the winner, but top city officials sought to sell it as an equal win for Chicagoans and local neighborhoods during a conference call with reporters Friday morning.

Rivers Chicago at McCormick would use the 2,900 rooms already available at McCormick Place.Ĭonstruction of a casino will mean thousands of jobs and the gambling will result in millions in tax revenue to shore up the city’s underfunded police and fire pension obligations, city leaders said. The five casinos are being proposed for the Chicago Tribune printing site, the old Michael Reese site, near McCormick Place, at the One Central development near Solider Field and in the The 78 megadevelopment along the south branch of the Chicago River.Įach of the proposals, except the Rivers Chicago at McCormick proposed by billionaire Neil Bluhm, would include a new hotel.

Uptown, Edgewater, Rogers Park Open dropdown menuĬHICAGO - City officials unveiled the five finalist casino proposals Friday, giving Chicagoans a first look at what the city’s first casino could look like.

South Chicago, East Side Open dropdown menu.

Pilsen, Little Village, Back of the Yards Open dropdown menu.

Lincoln Square, North Center, Irving Park Open dropdown menu.

Lakeview, Wrigleyville, Northalsted Open dropdown menu.

Jefferson Park, Portage Park, Norwood Park Open dropdown menu.

Englewood, Chatham, Auburn Gresham Open dropdown menu.

River North, Gold Coast, Near North Side.

Bridgeport, Chinatown, McKinley Park Open dropdown menu.

The city did not disclose the full list of potential investors in each project. Hard Rock representatives did not return messages seeking comment. The Rockford Hard Rock, endorsed by legendary Cheap Trick guitarist Rick Nielsen, won approval despite the fact state regulators have considered disciplinary action against another company owned by one of the project’s lead investors.

Hard Rock’s bid as HR Chicago LLC comes about nine months after the corporation received the Illinois Gaming Board’s OK to break ground on another casino in Rockford – and about five months after it opened a casino in Gary, Indiana, not even an hour’s drive from Lightfoot’s City Hall office. Lightfoot has received more than $200,000 in campaign contributions from Bluhm’s daughter Leslie and her sister Meredith Bluhm-Wolf.

No to Bo? Gaming board deals Lynwood and Bo Jackson backed Calumet City bids out of south suburban casino gameīluhm has long been considered a shoo-in to apply for the city casino license, given his success running the state’s most lucrative gambling mecca, Rivers Casino in Des Plaines - in addition to his close ties to the mayor.

Chicago to rivers casino