He called Bally’s goal of filling 3,000 construction jobs and 3,000 permanent jobs “unrealistic.” In 24 years on the Council, Beale said, he’s “never seen” any development with 60% minority participation. Anthony Beale (9th) doesn’t buy those lofty promises. I got that commitment,” Burnett said Wednesday.Īld. “I want to make sure people from Cabrini, people from my neighborhood, can get jobs. Burnett, the casino’s biggest champion, threatened to “raise a lot of hell” if he didn’t see in writing the minority hiring agreements Bally’s had made with labor unions.įor years, Burnett has criticized those trade unions for shortchanging minorities.īut after being bombarded with phone calls - from top mayoral aides, union leaders and Bally’s officials - Burnett dropped his threat, saying he’s convinced the casino giant will honor its promise to build a workforce composed of 60% minorities and 45% women. To appease local residents concerned about noise, crime and traffic, a proposed pedestrian bridge and outdoor theater were eliminated.Įarlier this week, there appeared to be a hiccup in what had been a smooth approval process. In addition to a casino with 4,000 gaming positions, the zoning allows for a 500-room hotel, a 3,000-seat theater and event center and a 2,100-square-foot riverwalk and park along the Chicago River. Wednesday’s zoning vote marks the final stage of Council approvals for the massive project. Retiring Zoning Commitee Chair Tom Tunney (44th) noted “casinos have been dreamed about - whether it’s a nightmare or a dream” for 30 years, that “there’s risk in everything” and that the primary casino vote “has already happened” back in May. Brendan Reilly (42nd) said Wednesday, pointing to committee votes that occurred before traffic studies and safety plans had been delivered to Council members. This one seemed it was literally turned on its head,” downtown Ald. “This process was like nothing we’ve ever done before. Alderpersons went along with her choice three weeks later. We’re talking about 6,000 jobs” in a neighborhood “we used to call Ghost Town.”Īfter creating a special Council committee to consider “all things” casino, Mayor Lori Lightfoot bypassed that committee, choosing Bally’s in early May. With this casino, we’re gonna get $200 million a year, man, to help us out. Walter Burnett (27th) countered that the casino project is “bigger than anybody’s ego,” adding: “This is something that three administrations have been trying to do. That could come back to haunt us,” Hopkins said.Īld. “We’re hitching our wagon to an inexperienced team.

River casino chicago employment