In late February, the Illinois House Revenue Committee gave the green light to the “megaprojects bill,” a significant legislative proposal.
This week, the bill is poised to make significant headway in the Illinois House, with a crucial vote anticipated on Wednesday. The outcome could play a pivotal role in determining the future of the Chicago Bears.
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State Representative Kam Buckner remarked on Tuesday, “More discussions are necessary, but the goal and hope is to reach a stage where we can progress with something tomorrow.”
The legislation aims to provide property tax stability for the Bears, contingent upon their decision to construct a new stadium in Arlington Heights. Governor JB Pritzker has expressed his support for the bill, but the full House has yet to cast their votes, and time is of the essence.
While plans for a new Bears stadium and accompanying entertainment district have been in the works for several years, they remain just that—plans, with no construction underway.
Illinois legislators are in a race against time to finalize this deal, aiming to keep the team within state boundaries. Meanwhile, the Bears are also considering a sizeable property in northwest Indiana, where local lawmakers have already sanctioned an incentive package for the team.
The Bears are presumably waiting on the passage of the megaprojects bill in the state legislature before deciding whether they build in Arlington Heights or Hammond.
“I think Indiana would love to have the Chicago Bears, but I don’t think the owners of the Bears want to go to Indiana,” said state Rep. LaShawn Ford, who represents the 8th District.
Sources say the Illinois Federation of Teachers are lobbying for language that would guarantee big developments won’t drain school funds. The fear is that a tax freeze for the wealthy could impact the bill for homeowners.
An internal IFT memo sent on behalf of Stacy Davis Gates shows labor organization leaders have “concerns with the megaprojects language as currently filed” that include risks to operational school funding. The labor organization noted in the memo that they “have not yet taken a final or declarative position on the bill.”
“This proposal would essentially siphon off revenue from property taxes that would otherwise have gone to our public schools,” said Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson. “I don’t think it’s a mismatch for educators to be involved in legislation that would have impact on our students.”
At the same time, lawmakers are also considering a separate proposal to tax millionaires that could supplement school funding.
Meanwhile, Johnson believes the Bears should remain in Chicago. He supported a plan for a new stadium across the parking lot from Soldier Field along the lakefront. But that plan has gone nowhere due to a lack of funding.
There is also holdup regarding the megaprojects bill in Springfield from a number of Chicago Democrats who refuse to support the Bears if they leave the city for the suburbs.
“It’s just not good for Chicago. I think everyone knows the Bears belong in Chicago. They’ll get more bang for their buck in a market like Chicago,” Ford said. “We’re looking for the same incentives offered to Arlington Heights to be offered to Chicago, so Chicago has a fair shot at keeping the Bears here.”
Ford admitted that it is a longshot that the Bears would reconsider staying in the city at this point. He says expects the bill to be called for a vote this week.
Then, it would go to the state Senate, where it would also be hotly debated. So, there is still a long way to go. In the meantime, the Bears are scheduled to meet with the league next week to provide an update on their stadium search.
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