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* Ummm…
What would you think of the Thompson Center downtown for a Chicago casino?
Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce president Jerry Roper says the high, glassy atrium in the state office building would make it ideal.
“It’s front-end loaded. It’s a burden to the state. And it could make a great casino on the first floor and the lower level and hotel rooms surrounding. That would be one site,” Roper said.
With those high ceilings, I gotta figure the place would be too noisy to bear. Then again…
“If you take a look at the casino that is in Montreal, you’ll see that it’s the old French Pavilion. Turned upside-down, it looks just like the State of Illinois building. We showed it to the governor and he made a note of a re-purposed use of state property. Think about that building. As old as it is, it’s going to have to have a major renovation. Maybe you’re better off just allowing somebody else to renovate it.”
Turned upside down? Turned inside out, maybe.
Thoughts?
* In other casino news, Gov. Pat Quinn might be getting himself into even hotter water with Mayor Rahm Emanuel…
Quinn’s latest criticism centers on the way casinos would be taxed under the legislation, as a major portion of that money is set aside each year for schools. That amounted to $328 million last year, according to Quinn’s office, but the governor says that will drop under the bill that needs his signature to become law.
As it stands, casinos are taxed on a sliding scale of 15 percent to 50 percent, depending on the amount of money they bring in. The legislation Quinn is weighing eventually would limit the rate to 40 percent for casinos raking in between $200 million and $300 million a year and 30 percent for those pulling down between $300 million and $350 million a year.
For casinos making more than $350 million a year, the tax rate would fall to 20 percent. It’s estimated that the lower rate would apply only to a casino built in Chicago because it is expected to bring in the most money.
The casino tax rates would fall before all of the new casinos came online, however, which leads to the estimated initial dip in gambling money going to the education fund.
As subscribers have known for weeks, Quinn has been talking privately for a while now about forcing a Chicago casino to pay a significantly higher tax rate. That’s a deal-killer for Emanuel, who believes the financials won’t work at a higher rate.
* Speaking of Quinn and trouble, this is from the Bond Buyer…
Illinois has selected Mayer Brown from among 18 law firms that submitted proposals to work as the state’s bond and disclosure counsel for the next two years.
The state’s procurement office made its choice public Monday in an award notice posted on its IllinoisBID website. Mayer Brown was chosen based on its top score, state debt manager John Sinsheimer said.
More from Crain’s…
Mayer Brown scored highest among the 18 law firms vying for the work, Mr. Sinsheimer said, adding, “I would say it was close.” Scoring was based on each firm’s bond disclosure experience nationwide, the team assembled for the Illinois work and a detailed description of how the state should handle its public disclosure requirements.
So, apparently, it was not only close but the ratings were subjective as well.
I posted these stories because some powerful Democrats reached out to me this week upset at Gov. Pat Quinn’s choice of attorneys. Mayer Brown partner Ty Fahner is the lead attorney on the Republican lawsuit against the new Democratic congressional map.
That’s just what Quinn needed to do. Yep. Hand out sweet, expensive goodies (indirectly) to the guy who’s probably more hated by the state’s Democratic congressional delegation than anybody else right now. Also, way to hobnob with Republicans, guv, after making such a big deal out of House Speaker Michael Madigan attending a fundraiser for US House Speaker John Boehner.
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Sep 14, 11 @ 5:10 am
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The Thompson Center is a monstrosity of inefficiency, architectural folly, and waste. It should actually be demolished post haste.
Comment by Casino or not Wednesday, Sep 14, 11 @ 6:24 am
Wow. I LOVE the idea of the state unloading JRT to be redeveloped by a casino operator!
The state could get this barely functional administrative building off its hands and lease better, cheaper space elsewhere. And a casino developer could get a prime location tourism-wise being right next to the theater district/State Street/riverfront and connected to every single “L” line.
I’m sure there are ways to renovate to deal with noise problems from the casino’s open ceiling and besides… who goes to a casino for peace and quiet anyway?
Of course such a project would involve cooperation between Quinn and Emanuel so it will never happen, but a girl can dream.
Comment by hisgirlfriday Wednesday, Sep 14, 11 @ 6:59 am
“The state could get this barely functional administrative building off its hands and lease better, cheaper space elsewhere.”
Even better: build a new place. Think of the jobs that would create..A new State of Illinois Building (much greener, of course) somewhere in the neighborhood of $500-$600 million…that should create several thousand much needed jobs.
Comment by Anon Wednesday, Sep 14, 11 @ 7:02 am
Even with its many problems, I have to say I like the JRTC, and I would be sad to see it go. Converting it to a casino is a fun thing to joke about, but really, a snarky joke is all that is. I thought the main candidate was that empty block that has never been redeveloped?
Comment by Newsclown Wednesday, Sep 14, 11 @ 7:08 am
The renovations required would be a nightmare to convert the building to hotel rooms. Still it would be good to the State to get out of that building. I keep thinking we are the only State with 2 functioning State Capitols. I don’t think even New York or California have mirror state agencies in two cities. Every agency director has an office and staff, in Springfield as well as in Chicago. This can’t be very efficient.
Comment by Observer of the State Wednesday, Sep 14, 11 @ 7:29 am
http://www.ilcampaign.org/patrons/mayer-brown-llp
Mayer Brown is a career patron of Senate President Emil Jones (D), House Republican Leader Tom Cross (R), and Senate Republican Leader Frank Watson (R).
From 1993 through December 31, 2006, Mayer, Brown contributed $2,384,000 to candidates for Illinois statewide constitutional and legislative office, 55% of which went to Republicans.
Comment by bored now Wednesday, Sep 14, 11 @ 7:36 am
That was my idea! That was my idea! Seriously — I was standing looking at the atrium about a year and a half ago and said to a couple folks standing nearby: “We should convert this building into a casino. It sure doesn’t work as an office. And doesn’t that thing on the floor like kind of like a huge roulette wheel?” I’d love to know how many people had to make that same joke, and to whom, before it got to Roper…
Comment by soccermom Wednesday, Sep 14, 11 @ 7:44 am
“Even better: build a new place. Think of the jobs that would create..A new State of Illinois Building (much greener, of course) somewhere in the neighborhood of $500-$600 million…that should create several thousand much needed jobs.”
OK, a state that can’t pay it’s bills spends $600 million plus the inevitable 50% cost overrun making the total $900 million for a building that we don’t need. All in the name of “creating” some jobs for, what, a couple of years, or even 4 years with the inevitable time overrun?? That kind of action is what got us into this mess!!
Comment by TimB Wednesday, Sep 14, 11 @ 7:47 am
What’s funny is Ty and the boys will take the money and use it to finance GOP candidates against the GOP House members who aren’t keen on whacking current employees pensions. Isn’t that what he’s been threatening the GOPers with throughout this debate?
Comment by Michelle Flaherty Wednesday, Sep 14, 11 @ 8:08 am
What bored now said. Also, I haven’t done the totals but Mayer Brown employees seem to give to federal D candidates about as often as they do to Rs.
Comment by Dirt Digger Wednesday, Sep 14, 11 @ 8:23 am
Demolition creates jobs, too.
When it’s torn down, get Rahm’s donor list or whatever they’re calling First Chicago-NBD–Chase-BankOne-Morgan in a few years to pay that sculptor who did the OK City monument to use CPS kids to build up a monument to something — the consolidation of serendipity?
Build the dog track at McCormick place. Throw in some slots & tables, too. Maybe Streisand will sing in a lounge for Dr. Kiley.
Comment by Fred Sanford Wednesday, Sep 14, 11 @ 8:28 am
“The state could get this barely functional administrative building off its hands and lease better, cheaper space elsewhere.”
lease…cheaper…. Not THAT’S funny. We lease so much office space around this state that we could have built buildings ten times over for less than we’ve payed insider landlords in rent.
Getting rid of one of the only buildings the state actually OWNS would be par for the course for this bunch of bumbling financial mismanagers. When you can’t afford the payments on your Kia, you don’t go out and buy a Caddy.
The idea of building a hundreds-of-millions-of-dollar building right now is absolutely ludicrous. Even if it made technical financial sense to bond it (which it doesn’t right now), the idea is still idiotic. Build an expensive state office building when the state’s not even paying constitutionally elected officials and state employees what they were promised. Or better yet, VENDORS who have waited months - even years - for services rendered to this deadbeat state.
Put the Kool-Aid down, and slowly step away!
Comment by Amuzing Myself Wednesday, Sep 14, 11 @ 8:32 am
What is Jerry Roper and the Chamber thinking? Or have they lost their minds over there?
Possibly stupidest idea ever for Illinois government and there’s obviously a lot of competition for that title.
Comment by just sayin' Wednesday, Sep 14, 11 @ 8:32 am
That JRTC idea has been around and discussed for nearly a decade.
Comment by Suburbs Wednesday, Sep 14, 11 @ 8:40 am
It seems that when the Governor has several options to choose from when making a decision, he invariably picks the wrong one. This goes for decisions that affect the state and its citizens, and for those that affect his political future and his party. He is the Inspector Clouseau of Illinois.
Comment by Stooges Wednesday, Sep 14, 11 @ 8:40 am
You want long term jobs?
Convert the Thompson Building into a secure storage site for the nuclear waste.
Comment by Sarge Lindy Wednesday, Sep 14, 11 @ 8:43 am
There was just a spot yesterday on how existing casinos are starting to cannibalize each other. So this idea makes perfect sense.
Comment by zatoichi Wednesday, Sep 14, 11 @ 8:45 am
Okay, Suburbs. So much for the only creative idea I ever had. Sigh.
Comment by soccermom Wednesday, Sep 14, 11 @ 8:52 am
Fahner is also probably the most hated person by public employees. This is a really weird choice by Quinn. Aren’t there any Dem law firms to do state business with?
Comment by Bill Wednesday, Sep 14, 11 @ 8:58 am
I’ve always thought that if you turn the JRTC upside down, you’d get something that looks very much like the renovations at Soldier Field.
Comment by The Other Anonymous Wednesday, Sep 14, 11 @ 9:09 am
Don Harmon came from Mayer Brown. I think Bill Daley was there for awhile too.
Comment by too obvious Wednesday, Sep 14, 11 @ 9:16 am
First, you need a dumb casino operator who would make a bet on that money-pit, next you have to remove all the bugs the Feds may have in place, then you’ve got a plan.
Comment by Alexander cut the knot. Wednesday, Sep 14, 11 @ 9:18 am
I may be wrong but it looked to me like Rob Uhe’s firm was on contract with Mayer Brown, too. Now isn’t that interesting?
Comment by Capra Corn Wednesday, Sep 14, 11 @ 9:24 am
So let me get this straight. Quinn picks a qualified law firm that has a prominent Republican partner and gets dinged. So, I guess he should have picked a less qualified law firm with more of his friends. I guess there was no win in this situation for him.
Comment by JL Wednesday, Sep 14, 11 @ 9:26 am
Would the building still issue drivers licenses? If so, renaming it after George Ryan would be appropriate.
Comment by Boone Logan Square Wednesday, Sep 14, 11 @ 9:29 am
casino. drinks. we’ll have to do lots of rehab cause of all those railings and a long way down, or the Thompson Casino would become a Rangers Stadium on, oh, day three.
Comment by amalia Wednesday, Sep 14, 11 @ 9:30 am
Rich,
You fail to mention that Mayer Brown represented Emanuel in his residency fight:
http://www.mayerbrown.com/lawyers/profile.asp?hubbardid=F211434007
Also, not so long ago you accused Emanuel of cronyism for appointing the MB attorney to a state board:
https://capitolfax.com/2011/07/11/new-rahm-and-old-style-politics/
Comment by Bi-partisan Wednesday, Sep 14, 11 @ 9:33 am
Turning the JRTC into a casino is a great idea! Smack dab in the center of the city with easy access to all the hotels, shops, and businesses.
Love it!!
Comment by Justice Wednesday, Sep 14, 11 @ 9:40 am
Helmut Jahn would take offense to his JRTC being dissed like this - if only he had an architectural conscience, that is. What an armpit of a building. Huge, empty wasted space with environmental (heating/cooling) problems up the wazoo. I would vote for demolition except for the only jewel in the crown of c&@p - Ronny’s Steakhouse. Ms dupage dan and I eat there when we go downtown to see the plays @ Goodman Theater. I would hate for them to move somewhere else and we would miss out on the bread and circuses!
Comment by dupage dan Wednesday, Sep 14, 11 @ 9:52 am
Rich, I have a question….
Comment by Justice Wednesday, Sep 14, 11 @ 9:52 am
I agree with JL…..if Quinn would have announced that MB lost because they represented Republicans in the Congressional Map lawsuit and because Ty Fahner was a thorn in the side of congressional Dems they would be looking at subpeonas coming from 219…..ya think?
Comment by downhereforyears Wednesday, Sep 14, 11 @ 9:57 am
The whole falacy of money going to education from the education fund is a joke. We all know that lottery proceeds go in there along with revenues from the casino taxes. But the amount appropriated for education has nothing to do with what is in the fund as there is no where near enough to cover the whole approp. As a matter of fact casino revenues have dropped the past few years. It could go to zero and the GA could still approp whatever they want. They ought to get rid of the shell game and have all revenues go into the General Revenue fund. Quinn knows this, the GA members all know this and the teachers unions all know this.
Comment by Been There Wednesday, Sep 14, 11 @ 10:02 am
Soccermom, I’ll have whatever you and Roper are having.
It’s five o’clock somewhere, right? Or as my old boss, the Great Gretzky used to say when he cracked a Molson at 9 a.m., “it’s aboot noon somewhere, eh?”
Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Sep 14, 11 @ 10:04 am
Ooops…forgot to post the “question”
Can we turn the Governor’s Mansion into a casino? How about many of the unused state facilities around the state? Most are in downtown areas, near shopping, business and sights. We could be onto something….or not.
Comment by Justice Wednesday, Sep 14, 11 @ 10:12 am
The JRTC covnersion is one of the few intriguing ideas I’ve heard form govenrment lately.
Having worked there, it is a disaster - the rampant code violations would cause it to be shut down instantly were it not a government building. It doesn’t seem to hold much potential to be fixed as useable, practical office space.
The casino is a great new use, for which it mich be far better suited. There is a lot of available office space in the City - good replacement space for the government offices should be readily available nearby.
And…for those who don’t like the offices in Chicago, recall that 70% of the state’s population is in Cook & the collar counties, the Chicago offices do a lot of the walk in service os the public for the state.
Comment by titan Wednesday, Sep 14, 11 @ 10:22 am
I’ve been to the Montreal casino. The last thing they want to do is emulate that casino in downtown Chicago. Uncomfortable is the understated word I would use to describe Montreal’s casino.
The lobby and basement of the Thompson Center would make a nice casino. The second floor (escalator access) could be the site of a few nice restaurants. I don’t know about the costs of rehabbing the rest of the building for hotel rooms considering that a number of hotels are within several blocks of that site with one large hotel right across the street.
Comment by Louis G. Atsaves Wednesday, Sep 14, 11 @ 10:47 am
–Mayer Brown scored highest among the 18 law firms vying for the work, Mr. Sinsheimer said, adding, “I would say it was close.” Scoring was based on each firm’s bond disclosure experience nationwide, the team assembled for the Illinois work and a detailed description of how the state should handle its public disclosure requirements.–
Let’s see the “scores” and what went into them. I bet they don’t exist.
Bond counsel work for GO bonds is about the lightest, most lucrative pinstripe patronage out there. Basically, you recycle a lot of boilerplate language that states “this is a general obligation bond.”
If you have any heavy lifting, you farm it out to Chapman and Cutler. They’re the recognized experts in public finance.
Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Sep 14, 11 @ 11:01 am
CAPT fAX:
Too bad you did not reverse the items….some will not see the sooooooooo close “scores” for the M-B no bid deal from PQ…Come on Capt don’t fall for that nonsense. Ask to see the “score cards” see if there were erasures — like the GA school test scores — ask to watch the video taped presentations. After PQ slaps his partisan jaws together it seems this is too little and too late.
Meanwhile, the investment banking world might want to report on PQs earlier recent decision to hand out some no bid cheese to minority bankers that left out Chicago firms.
Another smart move.
Comment by CircularFiringSquad Wednesday, Sep 14, 11 @ 11:05 am
JRTC conversion is interesting, but they’d have to black out all the windows…no casino wants people to be able to see outside…
Comment by Thoughts... Wednesday, Sep 14, 11 @ 11:08 am
Rich, the implicit suggestion from your comments on the bond work is that Quinn should have handed out the bond work to someone other than the winning bidder of the procurement. Am I missing your point?
Wordslinger, the notion that Chapman is the only firm that is recognized as having expertise in public finance is pure ignorance. And of course the scores and the scoring requirements exist. As public and politicized as this issue can be, I’d bet that GOMB dotted very i and crossed every t as it should.
Comment by slow down Wednesday, Sep 14, 11 @ 11:12 am
–Wordslinger, the notion that Chapman is the only firm that is recognized as having expertise in public finance is pure ignorance. And of course the scores and the scoring requirements exist. As public and politicized as this issue can be, I’d bet that GOMB dotted very i and crossed every t as it should.–
Let’s see the “scores” then. I didn’t suggest that Chapman was the “only” law firm in public finance, but there certainly are the bigfoot in Chicago. And I wish my ignorance were pure, like the eternal sunshine of the spotless mind.
Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Sep 14, 11 @ 11:23 am
Slow DOwn
You must be watching a different GUMBY than every one.
The bond counsel work is really pretty vanilla cut and paste nonsense that Chapman managed to to convince the world was super complicated — it wasn’t.
Just about any lawyer with a preloaded OS in a computer can do this stuff. Well maybe not the guys pushing the GOP remap claims. THat is another hoax.
Comment by CircularFiringSquad Wednesday, Sep 14, 11 @ 11:37 am
And we forgot to mention while the JRTC consistently wins “biggest waste of tax dollars spent on a public space” it would be an even worse casino
Roper must have bumped his head or got into the silly sauce
Comment by CircularFiringSquad Wednesday, Sep 14, 11 @ 11:49 am
The Thompson Building was ridulous to start with but I do not know where you would go with all the offices in the building now if you didn’t have it.
Comment by Stones Wednesday, Sep 14, 11 @ 11:53 am
The 3 things you will never find in a casino are WINDOWS, water fountains and clocks. WINDOWS WINDOWS.
Comment by InTheMiddle Wednesday, Sep 14, 11 @ 12:00 pm
We ought to bring the “bond counsel” work in house and save the state millions for boilerplate work. It is one of the biggest scams in government around the country, paying off political cronies and retirees for usually repetitive and simple work. I agree with slow down that the scoring and the selection process were probably above board and thorough, but agree with wordslinger that this should first be seen as a political process — because it is a scam in the most general sense.
Comment by walkinfool Wednesday, Sep 14, 11 @ 12:00 pm
What’s John Kass doing as The Combine strikes again?
Comment by just sayin' Wednesday, Sep 14, 11 @ 12:04 pm
I like the casino idea, we could call it Quinnville that way he might sign the bill.
Comment by mokenavince Wednesday, Sep 14, 11 @ 12:10 pm
“OK, a state that can’t pay it’s bills spends $600 million plus the inevitable 50% cost overrun making the total $900 million for a building that we don’t need. All in the name of “creating” some jobs for, what, a couple of years, or even 4 years with the inevitable time overrun?? That kind of action is what got us into this mess!!”
Agreed. But think of the contractor and union contributions that will come gushing in. And the more over-runs the better. More for our “leaders.” And as the economy continues to unravel, the casino take will increase as the desparate try their luck. And think of the great press Illinois will receive. I can see it now: “State building in Chicago converted to a casino.” Sounds like just the thing a serious business person wants to see when relocating. Not.
Comment by Cook County Commoner Wednesday, Sep 14, 11 @ 12:26 pm
Casino? Why not! More gambling has been done in that building than any other in Illinois.
Comment by Euripedis Pantsoff Wednesday, Sep 14, 11 @ 12:42 pm
The best thing about using Starship Illinois for a casino is that it’s a hub for the El. One only needs to save $2.50 to catch the train back to the neighborhoods. What other casino has public transportation?
Comment by D.P. Gumby Wednesday, Sep 14, 11 @ 12:49 pm
BTW, the JRTC was one of the very early “green buildings”, in that it was designed to use an (at the time) innovative “ice storage” system for the air conditioning. The idea was based around the much lower electric power rates that were in effect at night. Overnight, these large water tanks in the sub-basement, each the size of a tractor-trailer, would freeze water to ice. During the day, that ice would be used to chill the air thru ductwork, for a cost much lower than traditional air conditioning.
But the contractors made a mess of the installation, the system used improper materials and assembly, without adequate supervision, and it turned into a rusty, leaking mess. Millions were spent to cut up all that scrap metal and haul it out thru the loading docks, and retrofit traditional HVAC gear.
Part of the charm of the atrium design was the transparent see-thru nature of things like the elevators and escalators. Without structure to conceal and deaden the machinery, motor noise from the escalators and elevators presented a problem. Architect Helmut Jahn’s original design specified an indoor waterfall at the main plaza entrance, which was a good white-noise generator, with a fish pond at the bottom, to mask the machinery noise. You’ll never guess what happened with the supervision and installation of the waterfall and fish pond… yep, same as the AC system. They turned it into an ivy planter, because they couldn’t figure out how to keep it watertight and keep the pumps running.
When Big Jim cut the ribbon to open the building, he explained that it’s design by Helmut Jahn was intentionally meant to, in a visual sense, throw state government open to close scrutiny, exposing its inner workings to the public, providing access to every citizen and hiding nothing. Nice sentiment, that. You do get a sense of that, superficially, at least, with all the open plan office space and glass. Less so now, after 9-11, with the additional barricades and checkpoints which kind of ruin the effect. The foibles of the building and its history mirror those of the state government.
Jahn is one of those love him or hate him type architects. A visionary regarding space and form, a genius of “building as sculpture”, but many of his designs turn out to be impractical when it comes to the mechanicals, to actually *building* them to spec, and daily usage. He went on to design some low-income apartment housing in Chicago as a demonstration project, and the tenants there say the same things any JRTC office worker says: “I love the views and the light, and it is a pretty and distinctive place, but I can’t control the heat in summer, and it gets too cold in winter.”
Comment by Techboy Wednesday, Sep 14, 11 @ 12:54 pm
Lunch hour roulette would be the ruin of me.
Comment by 10th Indy Wednesday, Sep 14, 11 @ 1:04 pm
I’d rather have a new “State of Illinois Building” for $900 million than a stupid I-57 / I-294 Interchange for $900 million.
OOOHHHH…YES THERE IT IS! Have the Tollway authority build a new State of Illinois Center and lease it to the state..this is win win WIN!
Comment by Leroy Wednesday, Sep 14, 11 @ 1:10 pm
@ walkinfool - Bond counsel work can’t be brought in house; the entire function is to be the “outside” opinion that the bondholders can rely on that the bonds are validly issued.
It is sort of like the independent outside auditor role.
Comment by titan Wednesday, Sep 14, 11 @ 1:16 pm
A casino in Chicago?? How stupid of an idea is that! Why in the world would we want a casino in Chicago? What would be the benefit? Most Chicagoans now go to Indiana or Wisconsin to gamble, and that is exactly how PQ wants it. What on earth would Illinois do with the money from a Chicago casino that could generate an AGR of $700+mill a year? I agree with Quinn, let Indiana and Wisconsin have the headache of figuring out how to spread that much tax revenue arouund!!
Comment by just sayin' Wednesday, Sep 14, 11 @ 1:24 pm
I think it’s a great idea. It gets an albatross out from around the neck of the state, it makes a unique casino with windows so people can look out at the beautiful (or lousy depeneding on season) Chicago weather, and so what if it’s loud. That’s why they invented noise canceling ear phones after all.
Comment by cermak_rd Wednesday, Sep 14, 11 @ 1:44 pm
I think it’s a great idea. It gets an albatross out from around the neck of the state, it makes a unique casino with windows so people can look out at the beautiful (or lousy depending on season) Chicago weather, and so what if it’s loud. That’s why they invented noise canceling ear phones after all.
Comment by cermak_rd Wednesday, Sep 14, 11 @ 1:55 pm
whoops, sorry for extra post.
Comment by cermak_rd Wednesday, Sep 14, 11 @ 1:55 pm
Alcohol? Check. Ability to lose large amounts of money? Check. Easy access to many areas where one could jump to one’s death? Check. What could possibly go wrong with this idea?
Comment by TwoFeetThick Wednesday, Sep 14, 11 @ 1:56 pm
Rich- I may be wrong but I don’t think the JRTC is eligible for a casino. Thompson tried to put a OTB in there 20 years ago and was blocked because of its proximity to a church. just saying.
Comment by Not Sure Wednesday, Sep 14, 11 @ 2:12 pm
–Thompson tried to put a OTB in there 20 years ago and was blocked because of its proximity to a church. just saying.–
You sure? The OTB was two blocks away on State.
Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Sep 14, 11 @ 2:17 pm
Church was one block south at Clark and Washington SE corner..
Comment by just sayin' Wednesday, Sep 14, 11 @ 2:26 pm
The church that’s nearby is the Chicago United Methodist Temple. My church actually.
But the temple literally has moneychangers in it (a Harris Bank branch leases the sidewalk facing corner on the first floor) so I don’t think they have any right to complain about a casino a couple of blocks away.
Comment by hisgirlfriday Wednesday, Sep 14, 11 @ 2:44 pm
No need to fret about the window issue. They never get washed anymore so they should be sufficiently clouded up to meet casino standards in a year or two.
Comment by Bitterman Wednesday, Sep 14, 11 @ 3:12 pm
Just saying @ 1:24 Hilarious!
Since someone brought up the Church, United Methodist Clark & Washington, one block south of the Thompson Center, this church had enough foresight to build a church and to have offices that they rent out (mostly to lawyers because of the close proximity to the Daley Center) and now they don’t have to worry about how to support the church.
As far as the Thompson Center goes, I just walk in there and see so much wasted space, and space to heat and cool, which must be costly, supposid green building or not. The state could save a lot of money by selling it, …to a casino? or whoever will buy it. It certainly looks like it could support an indoor amusement park with rides, they certainly have the space.
A good idea is to rebuild the State of Illinois building somewhere on the South Side where real estate is more affordable. Plus they could use the work there, building it, and the jobs in it when it’s built.
Comment by 3rd Generation Chicago Native Wednesday, Sep 14, 11 @ 4:28 pm
===A good idea is to rebuild the State of Illinois building somewhere on the South Side where real estate is more affordable. ===
Never happen. How’s the governor gonna get his face on teevee if reporters have to travel outside their Loop comfort zone?
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Sep 14, 11 @ 4:32 pm
When did Quinn become a grouch, or was he always?
Comment by Cheswick Wednesday, Sep 14, 11 @ 5:45 pm
it is funny to think about. But I hope that Chicago officials are smart enough to isolate any new casino. I can’t imaging a casino in Manhattan, or say, downtown San Francisco. I have seen them in Joliet, Elgin, Aurora etc. Regardless how much they cost, they are cheesy. I really don’t want to see that neon-blasting garbage downtown. Put it in a more remote location like Navy Pier, McCormick or some other spot. I’m not a gambler, but it seems like those who are will be more than willing to to travel a couple miles to the fringes of the downtonw to blow their money.
Just don’t wreck the core city for some extra dough.
Comment by park Wednesday, Sep 14, 11 @ 7:55 pm