City Makes Major Move In Building Chicago Casino

CHICAGO— Bids are open for the first-ever casino and resort in the United States' third most populated city. Chicago officials are asking firms interested in building and operating the ambitious gaming and hotel location to submit formal proposals to the Chicago City Council.

The permanent casino could open as soon as 2025, although slot machines may start popping up at O'Hare and Midway airports sooner than that.

Mayor Lori Lightfoot said in a statement Thursday that a casino could be a good financial move to bring jobs to the city. Lightfoot said an ideal candidate would "be able to incorporate its property into the City’s vibrant cultural scene, robust public transit infrastructure and highly diversified economy."

Proposal requirements are specific. A potential candidate must include plans for a minimum 500-room hotel, meeting space, restaurants, bars and entertainment venue.

Proposals need the approval of the Illinois Gaming Board as well, and also must agree to set aside at least 26 percent of the construction contracts for firms owned by Black and Latino Chicagoans, and another 6 percent for firms owned by Chicago women.

At least half of all hours logged to build the casino structure must be performed by Chicago residents and 7.5 percent of the total time must be performed by residents of the neighborhood surrounding the construction site.

The city surveyed residents in July of 2019 about a possible location for a casino, and while many assumed it would be located downtown, South and West Side aldermen are going to want an opportunity to bring the major project to their wards.

Proposals are due Aug. 23. A winner is not likely to be picked until early 2022, officials said.