Tribune Publishing and Bally’s Reach Agreement to Vacate Site for Future Casino

Tribune Publishing has agreed to vacate the Freedom Center printing plant in River West by July 2024, allowing for Bally’s Chicago Casino to take its place. After months of negotiations, Bally’s Chairman Soo Kim announced that Tribune Publishing will receive a “series of cash payments” in exchange for their commitment. The sprawling 30-acre site is set to be demolished and replaced with a $1.74-billion casino and entertainment complex along the Chicago River, which is expected to break ground next year and open by 2026. In February 2021, Bally’s gave Tribune Publishing notice that they must vacate the plant used for printing newspapers such as The Chicago Tribune.