River West

An updated proposal now includes a riverfront park instead.

Bally's has officially closed the deal on the location for a casino in Chicago’s River West neighborhood.

Bally's has until Oct. 25 to buy the Freedom Center Printing Plant.

Friends remember the joking and the laughter that always followed Samuel Bell, who relished his work on behalf of disadvantaged youth.

Bally's has officially filed its application with the Illinois Gaming Board.

Architects involved in the remodeling of the Chicago building say the copper domes, third-floor ceiling and stained-glass windows will remain untouched.

“You are out of order! You are out of order, and you are a liar!” Lightfoot said. “I will not sit here, and I will not tolerate you besmirching the hard work of so many people!”

Chicago’s 30-year quest for a casino and entertainment complex is drawing to a close, amid hopes it will produce the jackpot needed to bail out police and fire pension funds.

"This project is good for our business environment in Chicago, and is going to keep us nationally and globally competitive," said Chicago Deputy Mayor Samir Mayekar. "I will remind everyone that New York is currently exploring a casino RFP that they'll set out. And our peer cities that we compete with for tourists – like Sydney, London, Singapore – these cities all offer gaming."

The hedge fund owner whose East Coast corporation is poised to break ground on Chicago’s first casino pledged Thursday “to keep our promises” to neighbors of a massive gaming complex in River West — but a room full of skeptical residents pushed back on a proposal they worry will increase traffic and crime.

A casino can bring in a lot of money for Chicago, however, neighbors are concerned it will also bring trouble in the way of traffic congestion, crime and construction inconvenience.