NEWSLETTER
Expect an uptick in discussions surrounding the Chicago Bears stadium plan as the team continues its pivot from a move to suburban Arlington Heights to a return to Chicago’s lakefront.
At this time last week, the Chicago Bears were unveiling their stadium plan and renderings of what the team is envisioning along the city’s lakefront. On Wednesday, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker’s camp had a response after meeting with the team. And I don’t imagine it is what members of the Bears brigade had in mind:
More from the Chicago Sun-Times, which hears from a source chiming in on the matter as the Bears are reportedly requesting the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority to give out $1.2 billion in new debt to be paid over a 40-year span that will be paid for by a 2 percent hotel tax:
“The money that comes from this hotel tax does not belong to the Bears. It does not belong to the White Sox. It does not belong to any sports team. That belongs to the taxpayer,” the source said. “There needs to be an evolution of thinking in the way that owners and sports teams approach asking and paying for sports stadiums. Because we are in a different world than what we were in 30 years ago. And it seems like everybody else understands that except for the people on these teams.”
The times have changed and the public is certainly less warm to the idea of tax dollars going to fund projects that don’t have as much public benefit as promised. So while I think there could still be a deal done that both sides agree upon, it won’t be easy.
Chicago Bears stadium watch continues
This update is unsurprising. And on multiple levels.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has publicly championed the Bears stadium plan because it hit three criteria in part because it had no new or increased taxes and included a “real and substantial” investment from the Bears. Meanwhile, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker has seemed cold on the Bears stadium plan since the beginning. Last week, Gov. Pritzker told reporters he was “highly skeptical” of the deal and that a pro sports stadium in Chicago wasn’t “among the highest priorities” for state taxpayers. Meanwhile, Illinois Speaker of the House Emmanuel Chris Welch chimed in with his belief that the team’s proposal would “fail miserably” if put to a vote. Those are strong words, to say the least.
As for the Bears, the team released a statement via email that says: “We had a productive conversation with the Governor’s office. We share a commitment to protecting the taxpayers of Illinois and look forward to further discussions.”
Don’t get it twisted. Few people know clamoring from the Bears and their fans for a new stadium as well as I do. However, I must also acknowledge that a proposal from the team that insists on taxpayer assistance won’t go anywhere in this environment unless there is truly a significant public benefit. This is only the beginning, so get your comfy pants on if you’re going to ride this story out with us.
