The Illinois Playing Fee (IGB) final week authorized Barry’s plans to construct a short lived on line casino within the Medina Temple in Chicago’s River North neighborhood, however locals mentioned the playing halls wouldn’t trigger a rise in crime or site visitors congestion. I’m involved.
The Rhode Island-based gaming firm plans to construct the town’s first built-in resort for $1.7 billion northwest of the town’s Loop downtown district. The medina temple grounds will likely be used till the development of the everlasting venue is accomplished. Situated at 600 N. Wabash Avenue, the temple has served a number of functions since its development 111 years in the past, however has been idle since 2020.
Nonetheless, it is positioned within the downtown space of the nation’s third-largest metropolis, and residents of the world are involved concerning the influence the short-term on line casino may have on site visitors. The River North Residents Affiliation (RNRA) is anxious that two of her neighborhoods within the space must endure elevated congestion to accommodate gaming venues.
“It appears a foregone conclusion that the streets and alleys of the River North and River West neighborhoods will proceed to bear the brunt of site visitors congestion for years to come back,” the group mentioned. “The RNRA will present better readability to metropolis authorities on site visitors circulation routes and the measures that may be adopted to dam by way of site visitors from neighborhood roads in all residential areas adjoining to or close to on line casino venues. I want to clarify this to the general public sooner or later.”
Native policymakers agree, arguing that site visitors surveys beforehand commissioned by Bally’s didn’t paint a whole image of the disruptions residents may face.
consideration for crime
No matter location, residents have expressed concern concerning the potential for elevated crime each time a seemingly new on line casino opens. Some research have proven no clear hyperlink between new gaming venues and a rise in crime, however the metropolis of Chicago is stricken by rampant crime, so this concern is a priority for Chicago residents. is necessary for
The town’s murder and sexual assault charges fell final 12 months, however charges of robberies, burglaries, thefts and auto thefts all surged, in keeping with the Chicago Police Division. Seventy-five folks have been shot in Chicago through the just lately accomplished three-day weekend, leaving 13 lifeless. Even with out casinos, River North’s crime price is above the nationwide common, however decrease than Chicago’s.
“Rivernorth has 13 violent crimes and 78 property crimes every year. Violent crime charges are effectively beneath the citywide common of 9 per 1,000 inhabitants,” Movoto mentioned.
In different phrases, River North’s crime statistics aren’t excellent, however they evaluate favorably with Chicago as a complete, and residents fear that casinos will turn into a driving pressure for crime.
Residents anticipate extra from Bally’s
As for crime, residents and RNRA members imagine Bally’s can work with CPD to maintain the block occupied by the short-term on line casino secure. However they query the sport firm’s potential to do the identical throughout the area.
Bally has taken a number of steps to ameliorate these considerations, together with pledging outside occasions to finish at 9pm on weekdays and 11pm on weekends. The RNRA can be urging gaming corporations to match venue bar service hours with water fountains elsewhere in order that drinkers do not depart the bar for the on line casino at closing time and proceed consuming.
Bally’s presumably has plans to deal with crime and site visitors issues, however the firm has but to share its efforts with native leaders. Alderman Brendan Riley (forty second) mentioned he requested such a plan however was denied as a result of Bally’s is at present in search of IGB approval for a everlasting built-in resort.
