Des Plaines Casino District Construction Creates Unprecedented Challenges for Residential Drain Systems in 2025
As construction on the 34-story Bally’s Chicago hotel steadily rises and the $1.7 billion Bally’s Chicago casino complex and a new land-based Hollywood Casino Aurora set to open, the Des Plaines area is experiencing a construction boom that’s having unexpected consequences for residential properties. Rivers Casino Des Plaines remained the state’s busiest gambling palace last year with $503 million in adjusted gross receipts and nearly 3 million visitors, but the ongoing expansion and new casino developments are creating significant disruptions to local drainage infrastructure.
The Scale of Construction Activity
The Des Plaines casino district has become a major construction zone in 2025. The 78,000 square-foot expansion will allow Rivers to be the first casino to have the state’s maximum number of 2,000 gaming positions when complete, requiring extensive excavation and infrastructure work. To make room for the 150,000-square-foot casino, 11 buildings were demolished, leaving a 22-acre site clear for the new casino and associated parking, demonstrating the massive scale of these projects.
Beyond Rivers Casino, construction started up again Thursday on the planned $1.7 billion casino complex at the former Tribune printing plant site for Bally’s Chicago, while construction is nearing completion on the new $185 million Hollywood Casino Joliet in the Rock Run Collection, a sprawling 310-acre mixed-use development.
How Large-Scale Construction Disrupts Residential Drainage
The extensive construction activity in the Des Plaines casino district is creating multiple challenges for residential drain systems. Overwhelmed drainage systems can cause drainage problems. These can worsen due to high groundwater levels, snowmelt, and severe rains. The construction process itself compounds these issues through several mechanisms:
- Soil Compaction: Overly compacted soil can prevent effective water absorption, leading to surface runoff and erosion. Conversely, too little compaction might cause settling issues, impacting the foundation’s stability.
- Infrastructure Strain: When drainage systems are overwhelmed, stormwater cannot be effectively channeled away from urban areas, resulting in surface water flooding.
- Altered Water Flow: Poorly planned infrastructure can redirect water flows, causing previously dry areas to flood.
The Des Plaines Drainage Challenge
Des Plaines has historically struggled with drainage issues. Des Plaines suffered several moderate floods when the Des Plaines River crested its banks. The city’s aging drainage system struggled to keep up, and its Water Fund ran up a deficit of more than $2 million dealing with repairs. The current construction boom is exacerbating these existing vulnerabilities.
Sewage backups in residents’ basements. It’s the biggest issue facing the ward after street and backyard flooding, according to local officials. This problem has only intensified with the increased construction activity disrupting established drainage patterns.
Impact on Homeowners
Residential properties near the casino construction zones are experiencing unprecedented drainage problems. Poor drainage can plague any building, from residential homes to large commercial structures. Inadequate drainage systems have many consequences, affecting everything from the foundation’s integrity to the overall safety of the structure.
The effects on homes include:
- Foundation Damage: Water accumulating in the soil around a foundation exerts what is known as hydrostatic pressure on the foundation walls. This pressure can be powerful enough to cause walls to crack and bow inward.
- Basement Flooding: Poor drainage can also lead to increased moisture levels inside the building. This excess moisture creates an ideal environment for biological growth and can cause wooden elements of the structure to rot.
- Sewer Backups: The increased strain on municipal systems leads to more frequent residential sewer backups and drain clogs.
Professional Solutions for Affected Residents
When construction-related drainage issues strike, homeowners need reliable professional help. Go-Rooter is the trusted and reliable emergency plumber serving Chicago, Cook County, IL. We take great pride in offering our community cost-effective, speedy, and trustworthy plumbing service. We aren’t just your Cook County, IL plumbing company, we are a part of the Cook community, that’s why when you choose us you’re choosing a local small business that can cater to all your plumbing needs.
For severe blockages caused by construction debris or system overload, hydro jetting des plaines services provide the most effective solution. This high-pressure water cleaning method can clear even the most stubborn blockages that result from construction-related debris and sediment buildup.
Emergency Response and Prevention
Water damage doesn’t wait for business hours. Neither do we. We provide genuine emergency service at any time. Go-Rooter understands that construction-related drainage emergencies require immediate attention. Licensed, bonded and insured family-owned plumbing and sewer company specializing in residential and commercial hydro-jetting, installing and repairing flood control systems, water prevention, power rodding, sewer repairs.
Prevention strategies include:
- Regular drain inspections during heavy construction periods
- Installing backflow prevention devices
- Upgrading aging residential drain systems
- Professional maintenance of gutters and downspouts
Looking Ahead
As the state’s 17 casinos generated more than $1.9 billion in adjusted gross receipts in 2025, a 15% year-over-year gain, the construction activity in the Des Plaines casino district shows no signs of slowing. In the last five years, Des Plaines has transferred part of the city to a new municipal water source, begun a major drainage and road reconstruction project on South River Road, and completed a number of smaller drainage improvement projects. All of it was entirely funded through casino money.
However, the pace of new construction is outstripping these infrastructure improvements, leaving many residential properties vulnerable to drainage issues. Homeowners in the area should remain vigilant and have reliable plumbing professionals on standby.
We understand that plumbing repair isn’t just about fixing what’s broken—it’s about preventing the mess, the damage, and the hassle that come when small problems become big disasters. For Des Plaines residents dealing with construction-related drainage disruptions, professional intervention isn’t just recommended—it’s essential for protecting your property investment and ensuring your family’s safety and comfort.