The idea of a casino in Chicago didn't sound like a good idea to a state-hire consultant, nor does it seem like the city's Pulitzer Prize winning architecture critic likes the idea either.

Blair Kamin, Meghan Kelly,Ryan Ori, and Mary Wisniewski report on the ongoing sage of the potential for a casino to be located in Chicago, a controversial issue and one of the main new items so far in the tenure of new Mayor Lori Lightfoot.
According to the article, the mayor is considering five potential sites, but a state-hired consultant has determined that the tax structure in Chicago will doom any casino to fail.
The Tribune did their own analysis of the five sites, all located on the South and West sides of the city, reflecting "Lightfoot's campaign pledge to direct economic developments to economically struggling areas of the city."
To provide a deeper understanding of the sites, Tribune researchers and reporters assembled data that focuses on characteristics like transportation (average daily traffic counts on nearby expressways, for example) and neighborhood characteristics such as average household income and crime levels. We also assessed whether each site has the support of its local alderman and gauged the overall size of the gambling market in northern Illinois and northern Indiana.
The article then provides specific details of the analysis for each of the five sites: Harborside, Michael Reese, Pershing and State, Roosevelt and Kostner, and U.S. Steel.
Kamin followed up the big feature article with a column suggesting (with "tongue planted firmly in cheek") suggestions for a casino in Chicago. The seriousness of that endeavor, and Kaimn's opinion of the idea, can be spotted instantly, with recommendations like: "Have President Donald Trump or family members running his business turn the perpetually vacant retail space at the bottom of his Chicago skyscraper into a casino. Never mind that Trump bankrupted his Atlantic City casinos."
FULL STORY: Column: A consultant disses Lightfoot’s casino sites. Now what?

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?
As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?

Washington State’s Parking Reform Law Could Unlock ‘Countless’ Acres for New Housing
A law that limits how much parking cities can require for residential amd commercial developments could lead to a construction boom.

Wildlife Rebounds After the Eaton Fire
Following the devastation of the Eaton Fire, the return of wildlife and the regrowth of native plants are offering powerful signs of resilience and renewal.

LA to Replace Inglewood Light Rail Project With Bus Shuttles
LA Metro says the change is in response to community engagement and that the new design will be ready before the 2028 Olympic Games.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions