Residents got their first opportunity to react to Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s plan for Bally’s to build Chicago’s first casino, putting officials on the defensive in the process.
“We made the promise that we are going to be good to labor and underrepresented groups, and make sure that we’re good to everyone,” Bally’s Corporation Chairman Soo Kim said.
Residents are also pushing Bally’s to come up with a safety plan, helping to keep areas around the casino safe. “We are tired of these young kids with guns in their hands attacking innocent people,” one resident said. Bally’s said that they would coordinate safety efforts with Chicago police, vowing to spend at least $5 million annually on security.
“The reality is, being hosted by Chicago, is a responsibility and it’s just the beginning of a long relationship,” Kim said.“This casino project is critical to the city’s financial stability, a recurring source to pay for police and fire pension funds,” Chicago’s Chief Financial Officer Jennie Bennett said.