Bally's Chicago avoided fines following a December incident where demolition debris spilled into the Chicago River at their $1.7 billion casino development site in River West. The debris primarily consisted of non-toxic perlite, a common insulation material.

State and local authorities, including the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency and Chicago Department of Buildings, investigated the incident and found no laws were violated. However, they required implementation of a remedial plan before work could resume.

The Chicago Community Builders Collective, a joint venture of seven minority-led construction firms, implemented additional safety measures including:

• Strengthened mesh netting
• Added river barge to collect potential debris
• Enhanced containment protocols

The demolition of the former Freedom Center, purchased by Bally's for $200 million, remains on schedule for completion by January's end. The permanent casino resort, set to open in late 2026, will feature:

• 500-room hotel
• 3,400 slot machines
• 173 live dealer table games
• VIP rooms
• Sportsbook facility

Meanwhile, Bally's temporary casino at Medinah Temple, operating since September 2023, continues expanding operations. The company offers:

• Free six-week dealer training programs
• Various employment opportunities
• Career growth potential for the permanent facility

The temporary location has already generated $124.6 million in gross gaming revenue during its first year of operation.

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