Numerous Chicagoans prickled with envy at the news that a mysterious buyer had snatched up the iconic neon sign from the 90-year-old Cantonese restaurant Orange Garden at an auction last week. Orange Garden’s famous neon sign lands in the hands of a famous suburban couple Wabash Avenue in River North, formerly the Bloomingdale’s Home store. And then there’s construction, though during that phase, Bally’s plans to set up temporary quarters at in the Medinah Temple at 600 N. Next comes the state gaming board, which can take as long as a year to issue approval. Brian Hopkins (2nd) is assembling a coalition of his fellow aldermen to oppose the plan, Block Club reports they object to the mayor’s lack of transparency while making her decision and demand more community input. First the proposal has to get through city council and already Ald. In addition to 3,400 slots and 170 gaming tables, a 3,000-seat theater, and a spa and hot tub, Block Club reports the complex will also contain a 500-room hotel, a two-acre park with an outdoor music venue, and six restaurants and cafes and a food hall.īut the mayor’s blessing is not a guarantee that the casino will actually be built, the Tribune warns. The mayor chose Bally’s $1.74 billion proposal over two other sites in the South Loop. It is with absolute pleasure to announce that I’ve selected Bally’s Chicago at Tribune Publishing Center as the finalist for the Chicago casino.

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