(Above) Rendering provided by Bally’s Corporation of the 111-year-old Medinah Temple imagined as a Bally’s casino. (Click on images to view larger versions.)

By Steven Dahlman

27-Jun-23 – The organization representing River North residents says “some meaningful progress” has been made with city officials and representatives of Bally’s Corporation in discussion of concerns with the two casinos planned in and near the downtown neighborhood.

A temporary casino is under construction at Medinah Temple on North Wabash Avenue and a larger, more permanent casino is planned for Chicago & Halsted, directly across the Chicago River from River North.

Brian Israel, Director Emeritus of River North Residents Association, says Bally’s has agreed to cancel its plans for an outdoor music venue and a pedestrian bridge across the river into Ward Park – changes that were announced at a community meeting last December. He says Bally’s also agreed to expand the casino’s public green space, reduce overall site density, consider increasing security around the casino, and build a Dog Friendly Area.

“These are encouraging steps, but more work remains to be done,” said Israel (left) in a recent statement. “We appreciate the willingness of city officials and the casino developers to engage in substantive dialogue with our association and other stakeholders to further improve this highly impactful project, and look forward to continuing the conversation.”

The temporary casino at Medinah Temple received preliminary approval on June 15 from the Illinois Gaming Board, which granted Bally’s a Determination of Preliminary Suitability. It will allow Bally’s to continue construction and hiring but they will need a temporary operating permit to open to the public. That is expected to happen in late summer of 2023. The Medinah Temple casino will operate for no more than three years while the Chicago & Halsted casino is built.

42nd Ward Alderman Brendan Reilly says he still has “a number of outstanding concerns relating to the temporary casino operation at Medinah Temple, namely traffic management and security.”

Reilly, along with 2nd Ward Alderman Brian Hopkins and RNRA, initially opposed the casino development at Chicago & Halsted, saying it was incompatible with the nearby residential neighborhoods and would, according to RNRA, strain an “already overtaxed infrastructure.”

(Right) The now-cancelled pedestrian bridge in the lower frame of this rendering would have connected the casino to Ward Park in River North.

When the Chicago City Council approved the project on May 25, 2022, RNRA turned its attention to identifying and advocating for adjustments to the plan with the goal, said the organization, “of reducing harmful impacts to the surrounding communities, the citizens of Chicago, and the natural environment.”

RNRA leaders met with Bally’s representatives on July 7, 2022, to discuss 52 recommendations. They met with Chicago city officials on April 11, 2023, to discuss other concerns, including traffic issues.

According to RNRA, Bally’s originally assumed the outdoor performance venue would be a welcome amenity for the neighborhood, but now, says RNRA, “understands the significant concerns of nearby residents about associated noise, light, and traffic disruption near their homes.”