Downtown Chicago casino coming?

[otter]

A friend of mine who lives there said he heard there were plans to build a new casino downtown. It was the first I heard of this. What's the timetable?

Can anyone confirm or deny? If there is another post relating to it please let me know. I wasn't able to find anything. I saw chicagojoe refered to a Harrah's Joliet, but that's not quite downtown.
Thanks in advance

[chiTown22]

Mayor Daley wants a casino on the lakefront I believe on Northernly island, or whatever it is called.

The last I read it would be slots and blackjack, and the state is against it. I haven't read about any progress though.

[kassdog]

Its been in the works for a while. Won't happen. Some lawmakers want 3 casinos built for extra money. Everytime it gets voted on it doesn't pass. I don't plan on ever seeing one downtown, however i do imagine that one or two can still be built in the suburbs.

[magoo]

You will know within two weeks. The bill already passed the Illinois State Senate, and is headed for the Illinois House of Representatives, where it is expected to be approved. It was sponsored by the Governor, so he'll sign it. One casino in Chicago, two in the suburbs.

[ QUOTE ]
A friend of mine who lives there said he heard there were plans to build a new casino downtown. It was the first I heard of this. What's the timetable?

Can anyone confirm or deny?

[/ QUOTE ]

[billybeartku]

[ QUOTE ]
You will know within two weeks. The bill already passed the Illinois State Senate, and is headed for the Illinois House of Representatives, where it is expected to be approved. It was sponsored by the Governor, so he'll sign it. One casino in Chicago, two in the suburbs.

[ QUOTE ]
A friend of mine who lives there said he heard there were plans to build a new casino downtown. It was the first I heard of this. What's the timetable?

Can anyone confirm or deny?

[/ QUOTE ]



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in chicago as in around what area? Do we even have space in Chicago for Casinos?

[iron81]

The major hurdle for this was the Speaker of the Illinois House. However, it sounds like he's softening on that. The Senate and the Governor are indeed on board, but the Speaker said he wants public hearings and he's in "no rush" to schedule them. I would put the chance of getting new casino licenses this year at around 30%. It would be one land based casino downtown and two more boats in the suburbs.

As for space downtown, a recall off-hand talk about putting a temporary casino in existing buildings like Navy Pier.

[Conan776]

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One casino in Chicago, two in the suburbs.

[/ QUOTE ]

Exact same proposal in Boston. I'm sure all these pols will have nice comfy jobs in the casino industry when they retire.

[ChicagoJoe]

[ QUOTE ]
Its been in the works for a while. Won't happen. Some lawmakers want 3 casinos built for extra money. Everytime it gets voted on it doesn't pass. I don't plan on ever seeing one downtown, however i do imagine that one or two can still be built in the suburbs.

[/ QUOTE ]

I have followed this issue closely and did agree with your post until two weeks ago. Now I have the feeling that our state has cut a deal with the casinos. The gambling expansion bill after being given up for dead is now back and going to save the mass transit system. Governor Blagojevich who from day one said he would not be for any expansion of gambling is now making a 180 degree turn around. With poker players the money goes over the table. With lawmakers the money goes under the table.

[Conan776]

[ QUOTE ]
is now back and going to save the mass transit system.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yeah, ours in Massachusetts is going to cure cancer and give everyone free kittens. Or something like that? And if it doesn't pass, drivers will have to pay a toll just to back out of their driveway. I assume it's the same bunch of people pushing this in both states.

It's a deal with the devil.

[Marc M]

I will be in Chicago in a couple weeks, staying downtown, for work. No car. I'm pretty much SOL regarding poker huh?