The Chicago Sun-Times reported that the project was using D & P Construction of Melrose Park, Ill., as its waste hauler. D & P was previously alleged by the FBI to have been controlled by chiefs of a Chicago organized crime syndicate. Concerns over the contractor's connections to organized crime 20 years ago helped scuttle a different project to build a casino in Rosemont, Ill. 

The project's general contractor is the Chicago Community Builders Collective, a management team of minority-led firms that includes Brown & Momen Inc., d’Escoto Inc., LiveWire Construction Inc., Milhouse Engineering and Construction, Powers & Sons Construction, UJAMAA Construction Inc., Riteway-Huggins Construction Services Inc. and SQN Associates LLC, along with Gilbane Building Co. 

“The IGB is investigating the facts and circumstances surrounding the use of vendors at the permanent casino construction site,” the gaming board said in a statement. “The IGB takes these matters seriously, and it will take appropriate action to maintain integrity and safety following the completion of the investigation."

The gaming board did not indicate how long the investigation will take or when construction may restart. Gaming board investigations involving construction of casinos and ties to organized crime are not uncommon in Illinois and many of the projects can be completed after such investigations are finished. In 2001, a license was granted for a proposed casino in Rosemont, Ill. That license was later revoked by the gaming board after an investigation discovered ties to organized crime and two different casino operators tried to build in Rosemont. The project had already begun construction when the license was finally revoked in 2005 and the former Rosemont Village President Donald E. Stephens said $50 million in village funds were already committed to the project. The project was redeveloped into a movie theater operated by AMC Theaters today. 

Dumpsters bearing the D & P logo were observed previously by the Sun-Times at the 30-acre construction site where Bally’s is building the new casino and an adjacent 34-story hotel. Demolition of a Chicago Tribune printing plant, which previously occupied the site, started in September. Bally's is currently operating a temporary casino in Chicago as it waits for the permanent casino construction to be completed.  

Lauren Westerfield, a spokesperson for Bally's said the company was informed on May 1 that by the IGB that the contractors working on the casino were utilizing an unapproved vendor and had been issued a stop work notice. 

"This is the process at work," she said. "We look forward to working with the IGB to eliminate the possibility of it happening again." 

"We brought together the Chicago Community Builder’s Collective to give smaller city contractors a chance to participate in this amazing project," she said. "We will work with the CCBC to better achieve our shared objectives." 

She added that Bally's  "is actively working with IGB for a swift resolution in anticipation of restoring construction to the site."

D & P declined to comment for this story. The Chicago Community Builders Collective did not immediately respond to requests for comment.