Chicago alderpersons seek order for Bally’s to resume full casino construction
Twenty-eight City Council members have urged Mayor Brandon Johnson to enforce Bally’s host agreement.
US.- Twenty-eight members of Chicago Council have called on Mayor Brandon Johnson to order Bally’s to continue construction of all elements included in its agreement with the city. The request follows Bally’s decision to slow work on the hotel, event centre and some restaurants at its permanent River West casino in response to Chicago’s legalisation of VGTs.
Bally’s said on Sunday that it was “resetting the pace of construction” on parts of the development, although the casino remains scheduled to open in early 2027. The company arguing that the legalisation of VGTs could reduce casino revenue and violate its host community agreement.
The alderpersons argue that Bally’s obligations extend beyond the casino. In a letter to Johnson, they say that completion of the project depends on the hotel, retail and event areas, exhibition space, green areas and Riverwalk, among other components. They called on the mayor to ensure the operator “delivers the complete project it committed to build” and warned that they could seek a public hearing or legal action.
Some council members have challenged Bally’s explanation for the construction slowdown. Ald. Brendan Reilly pointed out that Chicago has not yet issued any VGT licences. “Many of us suspect that this is really a cash flow issue for Bally’s,” he said.
