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Bally’s Chicago Rejects Contractor Claims It Owes Millions

By jili tutorial · August 31, 2026

Bally’s Chicago Rejects Contractor Claims It Owes Millions

Bally’s Chicago has pushed back against recent mechanic liens filed against its $1.7 billion casino resort, arguing that the claims are entirely without merit. The company says it has paid all invoices on time and places any unresolved payment issues with its general contractor.

While construction continues on the casino portion of the project, other work has been halted. Meanwhile, Bally’s officials are threatening legal action against the city if the City Council does not reverse its decision to allow slot-like video gambling terminals.

![Construction site image](Image: ResortX.com Construction Board)

Contractor Liens Filed for $3.8 Million

According to the Chicago Tribune, MGM Excavating filed mechanic liens last month in Cook County against Bally’s Chicago and the Chicago Community Builders Collective (CCBC). CCBC is the minority-led construction partnership that serves as the general contractor for the sprawling development.

MGM Excavating and its subcontractors claim they are owed $3.8 million for work performed at the project site in Chicago’s River West neighborhood. MGM Excavating is a Chicago-based company specializing in foundation excavation.

Two of its subcontractors—B.B.D. Trucking and E. King Construction Co.—are reportedly owed approximately $2.7 million of that total.

“We hauled away dirt, we brought in stone. The work was completed, the bills were submitted, and they owe us for the work,” Sharonda Williams, vice president of B.B.D. Trucking, told the Chicago Tribune.

MGM Excavating says its own share of the $3.8 million is roughly $1.1 million.

Bally’s Response: Payments Made on Time

Bally’s Chicago abruptly slowed construction on the resort earlier this month, a move tied to the Chicago City Council’s decision to move forward with authorizing slot-like video gaming terminals (VGTs). Bally’s argues that allowing these machines in restaurants, bars, truck stops, and social organizations violates its Host Community Agreement (HCA).

The HCA states that any new form of gambling authorized by the City Council would break the partnership and be “subject to good-faith renegotiation.”

Bally’s says the lien filed by MGM Excavating is unrelated to the non-casino work stoppage. The company maintains it has paid its construction bills on time.

“Bally’s has fulfilled its payment obligations to CCBC, which serves as the stewards of those funds. Any outstanding payment dispute is between CCBC and the subcontractor and does not involve an unpaid obligation by Bally’s,” the company said in a statement.

Dispute Over Subcontractor Approvals

The Chicago Community Builders Collective has acknowledged that it is in possession of the funds but is withholding them pending an ongoing investigation. The issue: whether MGM Excavating’s subcontractors had been approved by the Illinois Gaming Board to work on the construction site.

Landlord Also Named in Liens

The MGM Excavating liens also name Gaming & Leisure Properties, Inc. (GLPI), the landlord of the $1.7 billion development. GLPI, a real estate investment trust, serves as the primary lender for the Chicago casino.

Casino Work Continues; Other Phases on Hold

For now, Bally’s Chicago is moving forward only with the casino component of the project. The planned casino will include 3,400 slot machines, 170 table games, and a sportsbook.

However, other planned features—such as a 500-room hotel, a 3,000-seat theater, and a 2,000-foot-long Riverwalk extension—have been put on hold after months of work.