All articles tagged with #chicago city hall
Ashlee Gabrysch resigned as Chicago’s chief financial officer after three months, citing an inability to provide accurate financial statements. Mayor Johnson’s office accused her of mismanagement and unauthorized payments, while aldermen demanded an independent audit. The city faces a stalled 2027 budget and potential credit rating impacts.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson signed an executive order on August 11, 2026, to tighten oversight of data centers and urged the City Council to enact a moratorium on new construction. The move responds to a surge in facilities driven by AI demand, which has raised concerns about rising utility bills, water usage, and environmental impact. While the order enhances air and noise regulations, it does not ban new centers, leaving the moratorium decision to the council. The city currently hosts 39 data centers, with power consumption forecast to rise significantly, prompting calls for stricter state and local controls.
Bally's has paused construction on the hotel and non-gaming amenities of its $1.7 billion River West casino complex due to a dispute with Chicago over video gambling terminals. While the casino itself remains on track for an early 2027 opening, approximately 1,500 union workers have been placed on hiatus. The company claims the city's expansion of video gambling violates their 2022 agreement, potentially leading to withheld payments and legal action.