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* No surprise…
The sponsor of the latest proposal to subsidize the Chicago Bears’ move to a new stadium in Arlington Heights says he’s punting the issue until at least the Legislature’s fall session, giving him more time to refine a measure that has begun to attract some backing but probably not enough to pass.
In a phone interview, Rep. Marty Moylan, D-Des Plaines, said he still intends to call for a hearing tomorrow on his bill to freeze property taxes on the former horse racing track the Bears are eyeing for a stadium. The measure also proposes sharing sales tax and other proceeds with surrounding towns and imposing a $3 surcharge on Bears’ tickets to help recompense Chicago for the loss of revenue from the team no longer playing at Soldier Field. […]
“Those things,” Moylan said, could include shunting more money for infrastructure improvements to Palatine and other towns that would be affected by traffic from the stadium and a related entertainment complex the team hopes to build on the site of the former Arlington International Racecourse. And more might be done for Chicago, where newly installed Mayor Brandon Johnson’s team has been briefed on the proposed legislation.
Moylan said the Bears “have not said no.” An email to Crain’s from Bears’ Senior Vice President Scott Hagel seemed to confirm that. Hagel said the team is aware of tomorrow’s House Executive Committee hearing, but declined to take a position on the bill.
It’s probably gonna need a significant increase in money for Chicago.
posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, May 16, 23 @ 1:45 pm
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You get to $300 million to Chicago over 10 years, then I’d be a “maybe, but still no”
When the Comnanders’ sale is complete, the Bears will gain $200-400 million in worth at that moment.
Don’t vote a bill unless it’s ripe or the goal of the exercise is to show the actual failure.
I’d probably hold off too until the governor that would need to sign makes clear it’s no longer a bailout.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, May 16, 23 @ 2:01 pm
More like a false start with a fumbled snap.
Comment by Michelle Flaherty Tuesday, May 16, 23 @ 2:07 pm
Were I a season ticket holder I’d be incensed over a surcharge to bail out Soldier Field. How the hell is that not paid off? Oh, I see. Total incomp… uh… political wrangling so no one had to pay anything.
“The grand total for what the public was told would be $387 million in bonds? $1.19 billion.”
https://www.nbcchicago.com/investigations/taxpayers-still-owe-640m-on-2002-soldier-field-renovation/2981068/
Comment by Save Ferris Tuesday, May 16, 23 @ 2:08 pm
The Bears are actually asking people to may more taxes, yet again, for stadium renovations (that were done to their specs) at Soldiers Field?
Then they buy a piece of land in the suburbs and come around looking for more hand-outs?
Comment by Jerry Tuesday, May 16, 23 @ 2:10 pm
=Were I a season ticket holder I’d be incensed over a surcharge to bail out Soldier Field.=
There might be season ticket holders/taxpayers that could be incensed over a bailout to move a multi-billion-dollar business from one city to another in Illinois.
Comment by Cool Papa Bell Tuesday, May 16, 23 @ 2:23 pm
We should have a one-tax-payer-supported-stadium-per-generation rule that keeps the Bears away from Springfield until about the year 2040.
Comment by Telly Tuesday, May 16, 23 @ 2:51 pm
The Bears should get the same state subsidy package that the Cubs got.
Comment by Just Me 2 Tuesday, May 16, 23 @ 7:03 pm
Talk about short sighted thing…
Chicago should hold out for payment of all of its unfunded pension obligations.
Why would any Chicago Reps or Sens agree to this without that?
Comment by The PAMan Tuesday, May 16, 23 @ 11:43 pm