{"id":1028068,"date":"2026-08-27T20:16:13","date_gmt":"2026-08-27T20:16:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/1028068\/"},"modified":"2026-08-27T20:16:13","modified_gmt":"2026-08-27T20:16:13","slug":"ballys-chicago-contractors-owed-millions-in-dispute","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/1028068\/","title":{"rendered":"Bally’s Chicago contractors owed millions in dispute"},"content":{"rendered":"

As Bally\u2019s Chicago<\/a> struggles to navigate video gambling terminals in the city, a construction slowdown and a recent \u201cgoing concern\u201d warning over liquidity issues, a new problem has surfaced \u2014 a former contractor claims he is owed millions for work on the $1.7 billion casino complex going up in River West.<\/p>\n

MGM Excavating filed mechanics liens last month in Cook County Circuit Court against Bally\u2019s Chicago and the Chicago Community Builders Collective, the general contracting partnership overseeing construction, seeking more than $3.8 million for completed work at the site through March.<\/p>\n

That total includes balances due to two minority-owned subcontractors hired by MGM \u2014 B.B.D. Trucking and E. King Construction Co. \u2014 which are owed $2 million and $700,000 respectively, according to the companies.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe hauled away dirt, we brought in stone,\u201d said Sharonda Williams, vice president of B.B.D. Trucking. \u201cThe work was completed, the bills were submitted and they owe us for the work.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bally\u2019s said the money was paid in full to CCBC, which is withholding the payments pending an accounting investigation amid allegations that an unnamed company hired by an MGM subcontractor was not approved by the Gaming Board to work at the site.<\/p>\n

As such, the Rhode Island-based casino company is passing the buck to its general contractor.<\/p>\n

\u201cBally\u2019s has fulfilled its payment obligations to CCBC, which serves as the stewards of those funds,\u201d Bally\u2019s said in a statement. \u201cAny outstanding payment dispute is between CCBC and the subcontractor and does not involve an unpaid obligation by Bally\u2019s.\u201d<\/p>\n

In a separate statement, CCBC acknowledged that it is working to resolve the payment issue with a \u201cformer contractor\u201d and its vendors. B.B.D. said CCBC contacted the company this week to request billing documentation for outstanding invoices.<\/p>\n

MGM denies the allegation of employing an unlicensed vendor and is digging in, along with its subcontractors, on demands to get paid.<\/p>\n

A 20-year-old Lombard-based company that has helped build foundations at major construction projects across the Chicago area, MGM Excavating was retained as a contractor early in the process by Bally\u2019s Chicago and the CCBC, which broke ground at the site of the former Tribune printing plant in February 2025.<\/p>\n

But the payments dried up in March 2026, and by April, MGM Excavating was off the job and owed nearly $4 million, much of which was earmarked for its subcontractors. MGM said it walked for lack of payment, while CCBC said the contractor was terminated.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe completed one of the two contracts, and ceased work on the second because we weren\u2019t paid,\u201d a company spokesperson said. \u201cBut our building excavation contract was completed in full.\u201c<\/p>\n

Last month, MGM filed $2.7 million and $1.1 million claims for mechanics liens in Cook County Circuit Court against Bally\u2019s Chicago and the CCBC for unpaid excavation, site demolition and grading at the construction site performed through April.<\/p>\n

The liens also name Gaming and Leisure Properties, a Pennsylvania-based real estate investment trust that financed the construction<\/a> of the permanent casino.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are actively working to resolve a contractual matter with a former contractor and its vendors,\u201d CCBC said in a statement. \u201cWe remain focused on addressing the matter and moving the project forward.\u201d<\/p>\n