Chicago City Council October 7, 2020
Referred To Committee On Economic, Capital And Technology Development
CALL FOR HEARING ON THE CHICAGO CASINO
WHEREAS, In June 2019, Governor J.B. Pritzker signed into law Public Act 101-0031, which renamed the Riverboat Gambling Act the "Illinois Gambling Act" (the "Act"), and, among other things, expanded Illinois gaming law to permit a casino in the City of Chicago; and
WHEREAS, The Act considers matters of diversity and inclusion as it requires an applicant seeking a gaming license to provide evidence of the applicant's best efforts to reach a goal of 25% ownership representation by minority persons and 5% ownership representation by women; and
WHEREAS, The Act requires a plan from the applicant concerning the utilization of minority-owned and women-owned businesses, and businesses owned by persons with a disability, keeping with the goals ofthe Business Enterprise Program; and
WHEREAS, The Act calls for a review of the extent to which the applicant's ownership reflects the diversity ofthe State by including minority persons, women, and persons with a disability, and requires an applicant to submit a good faith affirmative action plan to recruit, train, and upgrade minority persons, women, and persons with a disability in all employment classifications for the approximately 4,000 gaming jobs that will be created by the Chicago Casino; and
WHEREAS, The Act establishes the Chicago Casino Advisory Committee (the "Advisory Committee") to monitor, review, and report on matters of diversity and inclusion as directed by Section 230 ILCS 10/7.14, including the utilization of minority-owned and women-owned businesses by the casino owners licensee and the employment of minorities on casino development and construction projects; and
WHEREAS, The Act requires the Advisory Committee to consist of 9 members, five selected by the Governor and four selected by the Mayor of Chicago, and at least one of the members appointed by the Govern...
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