Live reporting by
Kate Linderman
Red Line Extension; Bally's Casino; Anabel Abarca; Near South Side high school
Kate Linderman
@KateLinderman4
PASSED: The Chicago City Council voted to use property tax revenue from downtown and TIF funds to help fund the Red Line Extension Project.
12:31 PM Dec 14, 2022 CST
TIF dollars, totaling at $5.8 million, to fund a full-service grocery store at the Gerber Building in the 46th Ward passed.
TIF funds for land acquisition from the CHA and construction of the new Near South High School in the 3rd Ward passed, though some council members opposed it. The CHA land leased is part of a former public housing site.
A 350,000 settlement to Alberta Wilson (on behalf of children) for a lawsuit against the city passed with a 39-8 vote. Wilson sued after Chicago police officers executed a search warrant in 2019 where firearms were pointed at her children and one child was handcuffed.
All six agenda items for the Committee on Housing and Real Estate were approved.
A one-time exception for the Chicago Cubs to hold a game on the evening of July 14, 2023 was approved.
All items for the Committee on Special Events, Cultural Affairs & Recreation were approved.
All agenda items for the Committee on Transportation & Public Way were approved. All agenda items presented today can be found here chicago.legistar.com/MeetingDetail.…
Discussion on the Bally's Casino construction project has commenced. There will be a vote shortly.
Ald. Burnett (27th): This is something that three administrations have been trying to do... This mayor got it done.
If approved, the Bally's casino would be built where the Chicago Tribune's printing plant and newsroom are currently located in River West.
Ald. Reilly (42nd): Nearly 90% of the constituents in my ward are opposed to [the casino].
Ald. Tunney (44th): Whether its Bally’s or Oak Street, this is an industry that we, the city, know nothing about.
Voting is happening now.
Voting is happening now.
The Bally’s Casino Complex proposal was approved by the Chicago City Council in a 39-5 vote (1 recused). The Illinois Gaming Board needs to license Bally’s to operate the casino before work can begin. Here's how the council voted: https://t.co/FubTIxk9EI
Ald. Ramirez-Rosa called for a roll call vote on a previous item. Lightfoot objected, and now the council will vote to uphold or overrule her objection.
Meeting adjourned at 2:10 p.m. This concludes the Chicago City Council meeting. The next meeting is scheduled for Jan. 18, 2023 at 10 a.m. For more meeting coverage, check out documenters.org.