State gambling regulators on Thursday gave their first approvals toward the opening of a long-debated Chicago casino, voting in favor of licenses for Medinah Temple to serve as the temporary home of a gambling hall that developer Bally’s hopes to open by June.
Whether that ambitious timeline can be met remains uncertain, as the Illinois Gaming Board still is required to investigate and approve everyone involved in the project, from top investors to subcontractors involved in the construction.
The ultimate plan is for Bally’s to open a permanent casino west of the Chicago River on the site of the Chicago Tribune’s Freedom Center printing plant by 2026.
The board voted 3-0 to approve supplier licenses for two corporate entities owned by real estate developer Albert Friedman to serve as Bally’s landlord at the century-old Shriner’s amphitheater, which most recently housed a Bloomingdale’s Home Store.
