Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot responded to the independent report commissioned by the Illinois Gaming Board that examined the economic feasibility of a casino in Chicago. This report found that the “gaming expansion legislation that allows for a casino in the City of Chicago is very onerous from a tax and fee perspective” and it is likely not financeable under the proposed structure. The feasibility study, required by state statute, marked the first step in the City’s process for moving forward with a casino by seeking to evaluate the economic feasibility of the project. A separate process will inform the site selection for a casino and will be met with a robust community engagement process. Some of the key findings of the survey include:

• 73 percent of the responses said the most important benefit of opening a casino in Chicago are increased tax revenue and increased employment.

• 36 percent of respondents indicated they would like to see a casino built near downtown while 32 percent indicated they would prefer a location that will generate new development.

• Most respondents want the casino to include amenities such as restaurants, theater or live entertainment.

• The biggest concerns identified in the survey were related to increased traffic and congestion, gambling addiction, and displacement of residents.