Bally's signs multi-project labor agreement for the development of its Chicago casino

Casino-entertainment company Bally's Corporation announced Monday it has signed a Multi-Project Labor Agreement (PLA) with the Chicago & Cook County Building & Construction Trades Council (CCBT) and the AFL-CIO Building and Construction Trades Department for the construction of its upcoming flagship Bally's Chicago casino.

CCBT President Michael Macellaio said: "BCTC is proud to stand with Bally's Chicago in this historic building of the first and only casino in the City of Chicago. With this agreement, Bally's shows that it understands the importance of good-paying jobs in our city and the dignity of our hard-working people."

Bally's Chairman Soo Kim added: "At Bally's, we believe our company should reflect the community. This PLA is a demonstration of our commitment to embracing organized labor that has played such a key role in building the great city of Chicago. This is the first step of a project that will be built by Chicago, for Chicago, and help the city keep its promises to the police and fire pensions."

"We are also committed to inclusivity and our partnerships with the CCBT, Chicago Federation of Labor, and Hire360 will ensure our workforce will reflect the rich diversity of the city," Kim concluded.

Bally’s Corporation was chosen earlier this year to bring the first casino to Chicago, Illinois, set to be located in River West. It will be a $1.7 billion destination casino, entertainment and hotel offering that will showcase "The Best of Chicago" arts and culture, food and sports, and curated dining and entertainment experiences.

Located on the 30-acre Chicago Tribune Publishing Center at the intersection of Chicago Avenue and Halstead Street, Bally's Chicago will transform this currently underutilized site "into a major economic driver for the city," according to the casino company.

Bob Reiter, President of the Chicago Federation of Labor, added: "We appreciate that Bally's holds itself to a higher standard when it comes to employment. Our mission is to strengthen the participation of underrepresented populations—with a special focus on engaging youth to consider the trades as a viable and inspiring career path—and Bally's has proven to take that very seriously."

Bally's Chicago will include 3,400 slots, 170 table games, 10 food and beverage venues, a 500-room hotel tower with rooftop bar, a 3,000 seat / 65,000 square foot entertainment center, a 20,000 square foot exhibition, outdoor music venue, and outdoor green space including an expansive public riverwalk with a water taxi stop.

The project also provides Bally's with the exclusive right to operate a temporary casino for up to three years while the permanent casino resort is constructed.