Ald. Brian Hopkins (2nd) and the River North Residents Association are drumming up support to block Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s bid to make Bally’s in River West the city’s first casino.

Lightfoot announced Thursday she has picked the casino for the Tribune Publishing site along the Chicago River over the objections of neighbors and alderpeople who accused the mayor of sidestepping the city’s own special casino committee.

The announcement came less than two days after Lightfoot denied multiple reports she would pick Bally’s over proposals at The 78 and Soldier Field and insisted the city’s process was ongoing. The casino still needs approval from the City Council and the Illinois Gaming Board.