The proposed site not only faced opposition from nearby Bronzeville residents, but was also committed to another developer by McCormick Place until 2023. Bally’s hosted two job fairs for opportunities at the casino. The city also turned down Bally’s proposal for a $1.6 billion casino at the McCormick Place Truck Marshaling Yards, a 28-acre freight staging area at 31st Street and Jean Baptiste Point DuSable Lake Shore Drive. Casino Jobs Bally’s has hired approximately 700 permanent jobs for the temporary casino. McCormick Place said it has 235 events scheduled there that could not be rescheduled without a replacement.
The rejected proposals for what is expected to be Illinois’ largest gambling establishment include a $1.3 billion Rivers Chicago McCormick bid to redevelop Lakeside Center, which developers touted as an opportunity to repurpose and renovate the 50-year-old steel-and-glass exhibition hall. It is one of three bids remaining after the city rejected two proposals involving McCormick Place.
Proposed $1.6 billion Bally’s Chicago casino, hotel and entertainment complex at the site of the Chicago Tribune Publishing Center, located on the corner of Chicago Avenue and Halsted Street.