Quote:
Originally Posted by twister244
Weren't all of these guys consulted before any of these bids even were solicited? If there are aldermen that are going to be super against a casino in their backyard, then why would they city accept a bid for that location?
Or am I just that naive to Chicago politics still?
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Most projects are subject to aldermanic prerogative, but that only works if the 49 other aldermen vote with the one alderman that has the project in his/her ward.
On very important projects, the mayor can/will often steamroll the local alderman if a deal can't be reached. Rahm did this for the Wrigley Field renovation after Ald. Tunney opposed it. The mayor can wield considerable leverage over individual alderman on individual votes. The casino bidders probably expect that the mayor will personally push through whichever casino bid is selected.
For the casino, I think the council generally agrees that the casino is a good thing for the city overall, and they understand it has to end up in somebody's ward. That means one alderman, and one community, is gonna have to suck it up and deal with it. Definitely think Bally's Tribune is the one to beat now with Burnett in favor. Hopkins and Reilly will probably be "no" votes but the other 47 aldermen will fall in line with both the mayor and the local alderman supporting the casino.