More mixed signals about slots at airports, as aviation commissioner and aviation chair express reservations

Chicago’s aviation commissioner and the City Council’s Aviation Committee chair said Thursday they are concerned that installing slot machines at O’Hare and Midway Airports would cheapen the look and feel of the city’s airports.

The reservations expressed by Aviation Commissioner Michael McMurray sent conflicting signals about Mayor Brandon Johnson’s commitment to forge ahead with an idea with potential to raise tens of millions of dollars for cash-strapped Chicago.

Under questioning at City Council budget hearings, McMurray acknowledged that there have been “conversations about” installing slot machines at Midway. But McMurray said he has yet to see “any comprehensive proposals from anyone regarding slots machines” at either Midway or O’Hare.

“If we were to do it — and again, I haven’t