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It’s Tuesday. Brace for scorching temperatures this week, Chicago. WTTW News has stories on the upcoming heat wave and more. |
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Chicago's temporary casino in what was the Medinah Temple in River North. (WTTW News) |
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Chicago’s top financial officials told the City Council subcommittee charged with finding new revenue to fill Chicago’s massive budget gap on Monday that a plan to legalize video poker and slot machines would not ring up a jackpot. But members of the City Council’s Subcommittee on Revenue, facing a likely deficit of nearly $1.2 billion in the city’s 2026 spending plan, still think allowing video gambling would be a good move for the city.
The video gambling debate:
An economic impact study conducted by Christiansen Capitol Advisors, LLC, a firm hired by the mayor’s office, found legalizing video gambling machines would not trigger a windfall and could cost nearly 400 jobs at the city’s casino, run by Bally’s, scheduled to open in 2026 at its permanent location in River North.
In addition, it could prompt Bally’s to stop paying the city $4 million annually, as called for in the agreement it reached with Chicago officials in 2022 for the city’s first, and only, casino license.
“We don’t expect it to make a big impact,” Chief Financial Officer Jill Jaworski said. “Maybe we make $10 million one year and lose $5 million another.”
But several alderpeople questioned the validity of the Christiansen analysis, with Ald. Andre Vasquez (40th Ward) saying the potential job losses seemed “made up.”
Ald. Pat Dowell (3rd Ward) questioned why the Christiansen analysis did not include Rivers Casino, noting that its revenues have increased even after Des Plaines legalized video gambling.
Ald. Jeanette Taylor (20th Ward) called the presentation of the Christiansen study “disingenuous” and called its analysis “flawed.”
More context:
The city’s high-stakes bet that a casino could ease its financial crunch has yet to pay off. In 2023, tax revenue from the casino reached just 25% of what city officials had projected. During the casino’s first full year of operations, in 2024, it brought in 47% of what officials expected in taxes.
City officials expect that to turn around once the permanent casino opens in River West, but Jaworski acknowledged it is unlikely to generate the $200 million annually for the city’s underfunded police and fire pensions the Lightfoot administration projected. |
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Former ComEd CEO Anne Pramaggiore is pictured in a file photo. (WTTW News) |
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Anne Pramaggiore was a rising star in the utilities industry, hailed as a “transformational leader” during her time as CEO of Commonwealth Edison who focused on the consumers, improved safety and energized a demoralized workforce,
But all the while, federal prosecutors said she was a key leader in a criminal conspiracy that sought to “corrupt the highest levels of state government” by bribing former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan to secure his support on critical legislation in Springfield.
On Monday, Pramaggiore was sentenced in a downtown Chicago courtroom to two years in federal prison, more than two years after she was convicted as part of the “ComEd Four” trial alongside Madigan’s longtime confidant Michael McClain, ex-ComEd consultant Jay Doherty and former ComEd exec John Hooker.
“You had the power to stop this,” U.S. District Judge Manish Shah said in handing down the sentence. “You could have said ‘No this is not how legislation should be done.’ You had the power to change the culture at ComEd … When it came to Mr. Madigan and Mr. McClain, you didn’t think to change the culture of corruption. Instead, you were all in.”
Pramaggiore is the second of those four to be sentenced. Last week, Shah sentenced Hooker to a term of 18 months in prison. Beyond the prison sentence, Pramaggiore was also ordered to pay a fine of $750,000. |
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(Pixabay) |
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The National Weather Service has issued an extreme heat watch for Chicago on Wednesday and Thursday. Temperatures are expected to soar between 92 and 97 degrees. High humidity will make it feel more like 105 to 115 degrees, the weather service said. The urban heat island effect will make for a steamy night on Wednesday, providing little relief after sunset. Depending on the timing of the arrival of an anticipated cold front, Thursday night could be uncomfortable as well, according to forecasters.
Infants, young children, the elderly, pregnant women and people with chronic illnesses are particularly vulnerable during heat waves, but everyone should take precautions, including staying out of the sun, seeking shade and air conditioning, drinking water even when not thirsty, and canceling outdoor events, the weather service advised.
Cooling centers will be open throughout the region. |
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The Lawrence, Argyle, Berwyn and Bryn Mawr stations on the Red Line are now open, after being closed for reconstruction for four years.
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Back in the Day: July 22, 1934 - Bank Robber and Criminal John Dillinger Killed in Lincoln Park |
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In 1934, John Dillinger was America’s “Public Enemy No. 1,″ according to then-FBI chief J. Edgar Hoover. A notorious criminal and gangster, Dillinger and his crew robbed 11 banks for more than $300,000 (roughly $7.5 million today), escaped from prison, killed seven police officers and three federal agents in a vicious crime spree. He was relentlessly pursued by the FBI and police. He lived in a safe house in Chicago, used acid to burn off his fingerprints, and did whatever he could to avoid capture. On July 22, 1934 — 91 years ago today — Dillinger and a woman named Anna Sage decided to see a movie at the Biograph Theatre in Lincoln Park. What Dillinger didn't know was that Sage was cooperating with the FBI in order for help with a deportation hearing. She told federal agents that she'd be wearing an orange dress and would be with Dillinger. As the two exited the theater, her dress appeared red, earning her the nickname "The Lady in Red." Dillinger ran and was eventually gunned down by police. |
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This Week’s Staff Recommendations: South Side Restaurants |
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Every Tuesday, WTTW News staffers highlight their favorite things in Chicago. This week, it’s Ava Martin, assignment manager for “Chicago Tonight,” on her favorite restaurants in the city's South Side.
Ava Martin: Black-owned restaurants are more than chicken shacks and rib joints (and I’m not saying there is anything wrong with either of those types of establishments). I love some Harold’s Chicken and Uncle John’s Ribs. But if you have never ventured south of 22nd Street in Chicago, there are a few hidden gems that will whet your palate and not hurt your pocket. Here are a few recommendations (in no particular order) …
Bronzeville Winery - 4420 S Cottage Grove Ave.
Bronzeville Winery is a celebration of Bronzeville: the neighborhood’s history and recent revitalization. Founded by Eric Williams of The Silver Room and Cecilia Cuff of The Nascent Group, it won the 2024 Jean Banchet award for best hospitality.
Rhum|14 Parish - 1644 E. 53rd St.
Transport yourself to a Caribbean beach with the tropical cuisines and cocktails here. They boast 100 kinds of rum including rhums (French-style rum) and rons (Spanish-style rum). Try the Jamaican patty and the wings are fire too!
Dawn A.M. Eatery - 1642 E. 56th St.
This is the second venture of the 14 Parish family. The motto of this establishment is “Scratch Fresh Daily.” And I am here to tell you the biscuits from SCRATCH are to die for! I also love their catfish and grits, and the salmon deviled eggs are just heavenly. Dawn also has a great full-service bar as well.
The Park Bar & Grill (a.k.a. The Park Supper Club) – 65 E. Garfield Blvd.
This swanky little late-night spot is open till midnight on Thursday and 1 a.m. on Friday and Saturday. They also host a Sunday brunch. They feature an extensive cocktail menu including a sweet nectar Manhattan and a raspberry lemon-drop. On the savory side comes seafood pasta and New York strip steak.
Nafsi – 7059 S. South Shore Drive (located in the South Shore Cultural Center)
Located in the South Shore Cultural Center, NAFSI offers South Shore residents an upscale, yet affordable, dining experience that puts a luxurious spin on classic dishes such as shrimp and grits, fried green tomatoes, surf and turf, beignets, chicken and waffles and more. |
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What’s your favorite bookstore in the Chicago area? Tell us where and why.
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Email DailyChicagoan@wttw.com with your responses and your answers might be published. |
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Newsletter Producer: Josh Terry |
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