Bally's Casino Chicago and Hard Rock Casino Rockford have made significant steps towards opening their doors. Lincoln state bettors already have so many casino options spanning the entire state of Illinois and more are in the process of opening shortly. By 2025, it should be in the total of 12 casinos in Illinois.
The mayor of Chicago, Lori Lightfoot, has announced the formation of a council aimed at gathering community contributions to build Bally's Casino, which will host a temporary casino River North location before the final location is opened in River West.
According to Play Illinois, the group is called the Community Advisory Council and it is comprised of neighborhood residents, community groups and casino experts.
The three groups that will oversee the Council will be:
- The Chicago Department of Planning and Development
- The mayor's Office of Community Engagement
- Chicago Department of Transportation
"Since beginning the process to secure a Chicago casino, my administration has remained dedicated to ensuring our residents have every opportunity to share their thoughts and concerns about it. This Community Advisory Council will create a tangible space for this important engagement and allow community stakeholders of all kinds to have a meaningful impact before, during and after the casino's construction."
Mayor of Chicago | Lori Lightfoot
Bally's Chicago isn't yet in the clear to begin construction on the temporary casino it plans to open at the Medinah Temple in River North.
The Illinois Gaming Board is currently reviewing Bally's proposal. Once the Illinois Gaming Board approves it, Bally's must then get the thumbs up from the Chicago's planning and zoning group.
If everything goes well, Bally's plans to open a temporary casino in the spring of 2023. The permanent casino will be built at the current site of the Chicago Tribune newsroom and printing plant and is expected to open early in 2026.
In the meantime, construction on a permanent Hard Rock Rockford casino will begin next week according to a Rockford city official.
"The Illinois Gaming Board has given us approval to commence site work. The City of Rockford issued a permit that aligns with that approval only. We continue to work with the Gaming Board on the remainder of the process to seek complete approval that will allow us to construct our permanent facility."
Hard Rock Spokesperson
Hard Rock officials still have not provided a firm timetable for when the permanent casino will open. The casino's temporary location, Hard Rock: An Opening Act, is currently open until the permanent site is built.
See DataBid blogs titled:
- New Details on the 5 Bids for Chicago Casinos
- Three Players Left Competing for Chicago Casino Project
- Bally's Plans to Build Temporary Casino in River North
- Temporary Hard Rock Casino to Begin Construction in Rockford
- Hard Rock Casino gets Green Light for Permanent Casino
