Austin Weekly News 082119

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AUSTINWEEKLY news ■

Vol. 33 No. 34

Pritzker signs bills expanding state’s cannabis laws,

August 21, 2019

austinweeklynews.com

Also serving Garfield Park

@AustinWeeklyChi

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Austin ustin Coming Togethe Together, Pullout section

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Chicago casino not feasible, study says

Mayor Lightfoot says casino law needs reworking, calls five prospective sites ‘placeholders’ By MICHAEL ROMAIN Editor

The Illinois Gaming Board has determined that, at least as things currently stand, the idea of building Chicago’s first-ever casino is just not feasible. That was the general conclusion of a 50-page feasibility study the gaming board conducted within the last month and that was released on Aug. 13. In the study, the gaming board examined the state legislation that allowed for a casino in Chicago and evaluated the financial prospects of each of the five proposed sites for the casino — only one of which is on the West Side. While the study concluded that a Chicago casino “has the potential to become the highest grossing casino in Illinois,” the cost of operating the casino paired with an anticipated effective tax rate of approximately 72 percent means that expenses could exceed casino revenue. In June, Gov. Pritzker signed a law that paved the way for a Chicago casino. The law required the city to commission a feasibility study of the five proposed sites, which include the 23-acre site at Roosevelt and Kostner in North Lawndale; the old Michael Reese Hospital at 31st Street and Cottage Grove; the old U.S. Steel site at 80th Street See CASINO on page 4

ALEXA ROGALS/Staff Photographer

School’s all the buzz

A group of dancers perform on Saturday, Aug. 17, during the 40th annual Danny Davis Back to School Parade along Central Avenue in Austin. More photos on page 8.

Comcast donates new digital media labs Austin library among eight branches to receive donated funds for the new labs By IGOR STUDENKOV Contributing Reporter

On Aug. 16, Mayor Lori Lightfoot was at Austin Branch Library, 5615 W. Race Ave., for a news conference to announce that Comcast has donated $250,000 to help open new digital media labs at eight branch libraries in Chicago. The Austin branch is the only West Side library slated to receive the new labs.

The labs will include amenities similar to YouMedia youth digital media labs, which offer digital education skills for adults and “cyber-navigators” (staff members who offer technology advice for patrons). Patrick Molloy, a spokesperson for the Chicago Public Library system, said that the Douglass Branch Library, 3353 W. 13th St. in North Lawndale, will also get a digital media lab once it reopens in November, but it won’t be paid for by Comcast. The

branch is currently closed for renovation. During the Aug. 16 press conference, Comcast gave out free laptops and several months’ worth of free Internet access to area young people and also announced that it is expanding eligibility for its Internet Essentials program. The company broadened eligibility to include residents who get any form of government assistance.

State Farm Mutual Automobile • Insurance Company State Farm Indemnity Company • Bloomington, IL • statefarm.com® Larry and his staff are licensed and together have over 75 years of State Farm experience.

See MEDIA on page 12

Larry Williams,Agent 5932 W. Lake Street Chicago, 60644 (773) 379-9010 larry.williams.b0bk@statefarm.com


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