Bally’s Chicago Won’t Face Fine for River Dumping Mishap

Posted on: January 10, 2025, 10:23h. 

Last updated on: January 10, 2025, 10:57h.

Devin O'Connor @CasinoorgDevinO Read More
Expertise: Asia Pacific Gaming, Commercial Gaming, Legislation, Politics.

The Bally’s Corporation, the casino operator behind the $1.7 billion development in Chicago’s River West neighborhood, won’t be penalized for a demolition mishap last month that sent debris into the Chicago River.

Bally's Chicago demolition debris
Fenced mesh netting surrounds the Bally’s Chicago demolition site at the Freedom Center in Chicago. The contractors removing the former printing plant won’t be fined for accidentally allowing debris to fall into the Chicago River last month. (Image: Chicago Tribune)

Rhode Island-based Bally’s purchased the Freedom Center in November 2022 for $200 million after securing the Windy City’s development rights for an integrated resort casino. Demolition of the Chicago-Tribune and Chicago Sun-Times printing facility began in August 2024 to make way for what will become an entertainment and hospitality destination with a 500-room hotel resort and a casino floor with 3,400 slot machines, 173 live dealer table games, VIP rooms, and a sportsbook.

Last month, fenced mesh netting along the river beside the demolition site was compromised, with debris spewing into the water. Bally’s reps said the debris consisted largely of a white material called perlite, a nontoxic product commonly used in insulation.

Regardless, the incident caused concern after white powdery foam was seen flowing up the river. State and local officials initiated an investigation to determine the environmental safety shortcomings.

No Fine, This Time 

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, Chicago Department of Buildings, and Metropolitan Water Reclamation District probed the river dumping incident. They concluded that no laws were broken in the accident and therefore a fine is not warranted. A remedial plan, however, was mandated.

Officials with the Department of Buildings said the demolition, which was put on hold after the dumping calamity, was allowed to resume today. The city agency said it was satisfied with the general contractor’s “corrective action plan” and the matter was considered closed.

The Chicago Community Builders Collective — a joint venture between seven minority-led construction firms — is handling the demolition. The contractor says it remains on time to complete the Freedom Center teardown by the end of this month.

Remedial steps, the Chicago Community Builders Collective said, included strengthening the mesh netting and adding a barge in the river to collect anything that might bypass the barrier.

Bally’s Hiring Fair 

The permanent Bally’s Chicago casino resort isn’t expected to open until late 2026, but a temporary casino inside the Medinah Temple has operated since September 2023. As business and operations continue to ramp up, Bally’s continues to seek more people to staff its provisional operation, with the hope that most of the employees will transition to the permanent resort in a couple of years.

As we continue to grow, we’re looking to fill our coffers with good, talented staff, energetic employees, and those who really want a growth path as we continue to grow and expand and prepare to move to move into our permanent facility late 2026,” said Monica Scott, the vice president of community engagement for Bally’s Chicago.

Bally’s is willing to train anyone interested in becoming a table games dealer with free, six-week courses. The more games a dealer learns, the higher they’re paid. For more details on dealer school and other available jobs, click here.

The temporary Bally’s Chicago generated gross gaming revenue of $124.6 million in its first 12 months in operation.