I cannot help but get impatient with the chronic naysayers on a casino in downtown Chicago. I understand the opposition of the churches, with bingo and casino night fundraisers fearing revenue loss. Most churches draw from their members to attend these events. One new Chicago casino could have only a marginal effect on them. There already are many choices.

Not all of us are in between the ages of college and 60. There are many senior citizens and retirees living in the South Loop. We do not all like to ride bikes, canoe at lunch time (most of us don’t work) go bowling or visit some neighborhood gym, and if we want to go swimming we can use our own building’s pool. We have wonderful attractions in Chicago and we take full advantage of them.

However, there comes a time when you might want to have just a little mindless fun. At our ages we’re not going to overindulge in substances that a younger group may enjoy. Or do any type of activity that might cause me physical pain or a stroke. And most of us aren’t interested in any of the larger public events held for the young’uns to meet the opposite sex or sitting in some bar for the same purpose.

What is wrong with someone spending their own money in a pastime that doesn’t require physical pain or heavy concentration? Are you afraid Grandma is going to spend all her Social Security money? Ridiculous! She’s going to spend a few bucks whether she wins or loses at a relaxing game that gives her a couple hours off of her aches and pains. She’ll probably spend less than at a night out bowling or at the new sushi place. And if she spends more, what’s the difference? It’s not coming out of your pocket. Most folks who live around here are not going to have to squeeze entertainment money out of their piggy banks.

On the other hand much of what I see around me is folks wrapped up in computer games, iPhones, iPods and texting, on a piece of equipment that I know cost more than anything a senior may lose on a slot machine. On top of which, those folks get a monthly bill often running into hundreds of dollars for the ability to text their friend momentary gossip of no lasting value.

Many years ago when the legislature passed the bill allowing casinos in Illinois, but not in Chicago we vowed never to spend a dime in an Illinois casino. I have honored that and wait until I am on a trip or vacation in another state before attending one. I realize that is kind of a futile protest, but there may be more like me.

You “Anti”s are missing the point. We get lots of conventioneers in Chicago. After sitting in a long day’s session of meetings and brain thrusting, you want a couple hours maybe of relaxation. You do not want to sit through a movie/play or a 3-hour dinner. Museums and things are closed. What’s wrong with out-of-towners contributing a few more bucks to Chicago’s coffers?

I’ve not been able to determine what your strong opposition springs from. Are you afraid of the element it may bring in to your neighborhood? Chicago entertains people from all over the world. You need only look at some of the folks that come down for the oddball reruns of music festivals from yesteryear held in Grant Park to want to stay inside that day. Are you afraid of all the marginally employed people it will bring here? Look at all the fast food workers and hotel kitchen employees we already have.

While the complaint is made that any jobs created will be low paying, where’s your crystal ball on that? I am sure there will be management. Could be some low paid restaurant employee might like a little variety in his/her life with a different type job even if it is low pay.

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By Joan Costello from Dearborn Park
Posted: 08/06/2011 9:07 AM

I used the Detroit study as a new slant on your citing a 2006 study updated 08. Omit any Vegas studies, State St. isn’t being repaved with Casino’s. Today 1000's are attending Lollapalooza. Streets are blocked. The resulting inconvenience does little for our eateries. There are food vendors in GP. Blackie’s was here before Hackneys and Bar Louie. They created their own competition. Not having a casino won’t force me into an area restaurant. Wanting to eat out will not force me into Casino.

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By Matt from South Loop
Posted: 08/05/2011 8:09 PM

Those statements you just worked to discredit are from your Detroit example. If you disagree with that one, you are left with no credible studies saying that casinos don't breed crime. And yes, restaurants have a high failure rate, but if you go to the casino, have some drinks and grab some food while you are there, you arent headed to a restaurant afterwards. Casinos hurt local restaurants and bars. If you dont beleive me, walk to Blackies or Hackneys and ask them what they think.

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By Joan Costello from Dearborn Park
Posted: 08/05/2011 5:46 AM

Point taken, Detroit is a poor comp. "City Casino's bring in less than rural...?" Depends on the City and what else it has to offer -"target people least able to afford" - it will draw many others who can- "take business away from local restaurants" People don't go to a Casino to eat. Most Casino eateries aren't that good. We welcome new restaurants, yet, how often do we repeat visit? There is a 27% 1st year failure rate, 60% after 5. No one is guaranteed protection from competition.

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By slew from SL
Posted: 08/03/2011 11:04 PM

I've lived in downtown Detroit, spent time in the casino, and I can think of no worse business case than to point to those as a beacon of hope. Want to see depressing? Go to a Detroit casino on payday. Everyone in there is wasting their entire paycheck on slots -- while they and their families go hungry. Why is crime down? Because Mayor Bing shrunk the city borders, juking stats. Truly, pointing to a Detroit study is the worst argument starting position imaginable.

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By Matt Kudla from South Loop
Posted: 08/03/2011 9:10 PM

Detroit. That's what you want for the south loop? Those werent built in residential communities. Incidentally, this is from your Detroit example: The casinos have not brought the crime that critics warned about, but gambling specialists contend that big-city casinos aren't the windfall that proponents claim. They bring in less money than rural destination casinos, target people least able to afford to gamble, and take business away from local restaurants, the specialists say. Sounds great.

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By Joan from Dearborn Park
Posted: 08/03/2011 8:23 AM

As I said, you can find back-up for whatever point you want to make as you just did. Remember when the States first considered casinos as a cash source they were approved for the poorest areas such as Gary, East St Louis, etc. Crime already was a large problem. You didn't mention one of the most recent studies in Detroit where three new casinos were built and the Detroit crime rate has dropped.

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By Matt from South Loop
Posted: 08/02/2011 11:55 PM

Even that study though, identifies multiple negatives for the community including increased suicide rates. One of the most accepted studies was by Mustard and Grinols of University of Georgia and Baylor in 2006, and updated in 2008. They found a very clear increase in crime where new casinos were installed and destroyed the “additional security” myth. In case you feel they have a bias, there are studies from U of I, the Florida Attorney General’s Office, and more.

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By Matt from South Loop
Posted: 08/02/2011 11:53 PM

Ha, I don't think the concern is that of the "mob". It is clear that casinos lead to higher crime when you look at facts, but I'll play this game: When searching Google, of the first 5 major studies on casino crime, only 1 does not draw a link. That study was led by Grant Stitt and Mark Nichols of the University of Nevada, which is a public university in a state that receives a large portion of its revenues from what major tourist destination? Linking crime and casinos would be a bad career move

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By Joan Costello from Dearborn Park
Posted: 08/02/2011 6:18 AM

Whether Casino's bring more crime to an area is a hotly debated topic today. By Googling the subject you can find facts to support any side of the argument you want to make. Today's Casino is not Vegas mob controlled. The additional security a Casino provides can increase the safety of an area. What type of retail establishments do we need in the South Loop? And how much will such a business contribute to the State's revenue?.

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By Matt from South Loop
Posted: 07/28/2011 11:41 PM

David, I can tell you are well-intentioned, but casinos do not bring retail or fill vacant space. If anything, casinos decimate the surrounding area businesses. Why go to a bar, when you can get a free drink at the casino? Cheap meals? Retail? Everything exists inside of a casino - Just look at Horseshoe - What retail showed up there after the casino? I'm all about additional businesses in the South Loop, but this is the wrong one. There are other ways to make the Sloop into a great place

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By Solo from Motor Row
Posted: 07/28/2011 9:48 AM

Retail? Every casino has retail & Restaurants INSIDE. Visitors will not spend a dime outside of the casino. They will eat, park and leave from the casino. The crime will come from those that are a bus ride or red line stop away (south or west side). David - we will see ZERO outside development bc of this & ZERO benefit. Those that are involved will make money, our taxes will still go up. Things are very simple = give businesses a tax break for opening a store, etc

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By David from South Loop
Posted: 07/28/2011 8:44 AM

Please bring it to my backyard. South Loop needs the stimulus of a casino in order to bring in the retail that will really drive property prices. Too many retail buildings lay vacant today. Take the Roosevelt Collection for example. My only criteria is that the casino be classy with its own design and feel; not just a warehouse with slot machines in it.

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By Matt from South Loop
Posted: 07/27/2011 10:17 PM

Is this a joke? You need only look at the statistics of any area that has installed a casino within the past 25 years to see the effect it has had on property values and crime in that area. We're not concerned with how our grandparents will spend their retirement money. Most of us are opposed to a casino because of the economic and criminal changes that casinos bring to thier communities. While I'm not opposed to the concept of a casino, Ill just come out and say it: Not in my backyard!