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* Rep. Buckner press release…
Buckner Introduces Measure to Ensure Transparent Spending on Sports Stadiums, Responsible Use of Taxpayer Dollars
CHICAGO — State Rep. Kam Buckner, D-Chicago, has introduced the Stadium Transparency and Responsible Spending (STARS) Act to ensure that any taxpayer-backed deal for a professional sports stadium is transparent, fiscally responsible and publicly vetted.
“Illinois families want and deserve responsible, transparent spending of their tax dollars,” Buckner said. “The cost of living is high, we have a president determined to take our economy in the wrong direction, and sending tens of millions of dollars to major sports teams in the hopes of a financial return that is far from guaranteed has to come with guardrails. We can’t take that risk and expect working people to bear the economic burden if it doesn’t pay off. That’s unacceptable.”
Continuing his track record of fighting for responsibility, Buckner filed House Bill 4152, the Stadium Transparency and Responsible Spending (STARS) Act, which makes a number of reforms to ensure transparency in state spending on sports stadiums. These include requirements for:
-A full public online disclosure of any stadium subsidy or tax incentive agreement at least 30 days before approval;
-An independent, franchise-funded cost-benefit analysis conducted by the Commission of Government Forecasting and Accountability (COGFA) of the 20-year fiscal impact;
-At least two public hearings in the affected community to hear from residents, school districts, libraries and first responders to testify on local revenue impacts;
-Full reimbursement by the franchise for any lost property tax revenues for public schools, libraries and emergency services; and
-Full repayment of all subsidies plus 5% annual compounded interest if a franchise relocates or fails to meet other economic commitments.“Building up our state’s economy and securing long-term prosperity is about putting our money where it will do the most good, not spending it on magic beans and hoping for the best,” Buckner said. “I appreciate what great sports franchises have the potential to do for Illinois communities, but that doesn’t mean they get a blank check.”
Thoughts?
posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Oct 14, 25 @ 1:02 pm
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nice press pop.
Comment by Just Me 2 Tuesday, Oct 14, 25 @ 1:24 pm
The Bears aren’t asking for state money so they should get behind this and help Leader Buckner get it passed.
Comment by Overbay Tuesday, Oct 14, 25 @ 1:34 pm
===The Bears aren’t asking for state money ===
Yes they are.
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Oct 14, 25 @ 1:40 pm
No Welfare for the Bears. Tax Fairness for everyday taxpayers.
Not subsidized entitlements for elitist billionaires who happen to have inherited a football club or bought a baseball team years ago at the franchise garage sale.
Hard no.
Comment by Jerry Tuesday, Oct 14, 25 @ 1:44 pm
===The Bears aren’t asking for state money===
If they aren’t what makes you think this bill is about them?
===Thoughts? ===
Not only does their general manager clearly hate Chicago, he also apparently has no idea what lobbying is or what a lobbyist does.
All manner of folks should be co-sponsoring this.
Comment by Candy Dogood Tuesday, Oct 14, 25 @ 1:50 pm
==The Bears aren’t asking for state money==
Um. They still owe $500 million on the existing lakefront stadium and want $855 million for AH. I spit out my coffee at their suggestion of 370 events per calendar year.
Comment by Jocko Tuesday, Oct 14, 25 @ 1:52 pm
The Bears are not asking for State money to construct a stadium, that would be 100% privately financed.
They are asking for state money for infrastructure improvements for roads, sewers and Metra upgrades all of which are municipally owned.
Basically asking for the same deal every other large scale development receives.
Senator Buckner’s bill is names the Stadium Transparency and Responsibility act not the Infrastructure spending Act.
Comment by Harrison Tuesday, Oct 14, 25 @ 1:55 pm
Taxpayers built them a stadium to their specifications about 20 years ago. They should pay for roads, sewers, and the train depot as a gift to their new community.
Comment by Jerry Tuesday, Oct 14, 25 @ 2:09 pm
=$500 million=
The Governor has linked the $500 million to the Bears - but legally the Bears are simply a tenant and if they leave early they would owe an early termination fee of $84 million (2026)- the remaining $500 million would be owed by the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority.
The larger point that is often lost is that even if the Bears skip to Arlington Heights- the ISFA will still be able to pay its obligation as the majority of their revenue comes from hotel taxes that will still be large if the Beas move to the burbs.
https://chicagopolicyreview.org/2023/02/07/what-happens-to-chicago-if-the-bears-leave-for-the-suburbs/
No, the Chicago Bears do not owe a lease payment for Soldier Field; however, they may owe a penalty to break their current lease early, with estimates around \(\$84\) million for 2026. The Bears are a tenant and do not own the stadium, which is owned by the Chicago Park District. There is also public debt from the 2002 renovation, but the Bears are not legally required to pay off the remaining bond debt themselves
Comment by Think again Tuesday, Oct 14, 25 @ 2:15 pm
===The Bears are not asking for State money to construct a stadium, that would be 100% privately financed.===
Ah yes, the “stadium” will be 100% privately financed. They just what $3 billion dollars to develop all of the land around the stadium that they own, and which I hope is a figure that includes the more than $800 million they want in infrastructure investment.
I don’t think the folks that have been framing this conversation on behalf of the Bears organization has the appropriate level of respect for the people they are communicating with if they are trying the kinds of gimmicks you’re trying to pass off here.
Comment by Candy Dogood Tuesday, Oct 14, 25 @ 3:54 pm