The request came after lawmakers in Springfield changed the casino tax structure and passed a pile of chips to the gaming industry.ĭesperate for gambling tax cash, the mayor also asked applicants to give thoughts on operating a temporary casino while a permanent one is under construction.ĭuh? Lakeside Center – the original McCormick Place East – is the obvious choice for an instant “pop-up” downtown casino that should raise millions in gaming tax dollars for the city as early as 2021.Įxperts say a ready-to-open-now downtown gaming palace would rapidly kick-start lost convention and tourist business that was killed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Mayor Lightfoot recently asked casino operators and real estate developers to submit plans on how they would build and run it. The original McCormick Place East is the obvious choice for an instant downtown casino that could raise millions in gaming tax dollars for the city as early as 2021.ħ-Sep-20 – Now that the Windy City’s budget deficit has hit $1.2 billion, Mayor Lori Lightfoot is spinning the roulette wheel and pushing for the launch of a giant Chicago gambling casino.

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