Story perspectives

Chicago Council Approves $19 M Greyhound Purchase, Keeps Sweepstakes Machines

6/19/2026

Summary

Story summary

Chicago City Council approved a $19.2 million purchase of the Greyhound terminal at 630 W. Harrison Street by a 38-10 vote, using an expanded tax-increment financing district.
Mayor Brandon Johnson said the acquisition protects nearly 500,000 riders and stops unsafe curbside loading.
The deal lets FlixBus run the station for 12 months, budgets $30 million for repairs, seeks third-party operator, and council rejected a sweepstakes-machine ban by a 33-15 vote, keeping 7,000 machines.

History

Historical Context

Chicago’s habit of using redevelopment tools to protect downtown transit began with the 1973 Chicago 21 Plan, championed by Mayor Richard J. Daley to counter white-flight and revitalize the Loop. That public-private approach continued through later tax-increment projects and, in 2024, the city council approved a purchase to preserve a central bus hub, extending the legacy of downtown-focused investment.

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Story summary

Chicago City Council approved a $19.2 million purchase of the Greyhound terminal at 630 W. Harrison Street by a 38-10 vote, using an expanded tax-increment financing district.
Mayor Brandon Johnson said the acquisition protects nearly 500,000 riders and stops unsafe curbside loading.
The deal lets FlixBus run the station for 12 months, budgets $30 million for repairs, seeks third-party operator, and council rejected a sweepstakes-machine ban by a 33-15 vote, keeping 7,000 machines.

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