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* Gov. Pritzker was asked today about the financial aspect of the Bears’ stadium plan…
Oh, it is more than what they put forward. I think all of you are starting to report on that. I mean, they want infrastructure dollars on top of what they’re asking for in funding.
They’re asking to keep all of the revenue from other events that might take place at the stadium. You know, if there’s a Beyoncé concert, they want all of that revenue too, and everything else that might happen there. So yeah, I mean, there are aspects of this that are, you know, probably non-starters.
Having said that, you know, always open to a conversation but as I’ve said, the priorities of the people of Illinois are not building stadiums, right?
It’s really about for example, birth equity and building birth centers for people in Black and Brown communities, just as one example. But we have important things we need to invest in for the future of the state and again, stadiums in my mind don’t rank up in the top tier of those.
[Asked about state revenues for other purposes being used for the stadium]
You’re saying dollars that would come into the state of Illinois for other purposes and kind of making sure that those go to this? No. I mean, the truth is that if we have dollars coming in to support parks, for example, in Chicago or in the state of Illinois, it strikes me that it wasn’t contemplated that those dollars would go to a ballpark [chuckles], but rather parks for children and families and neighborhoods and making sure that the city of Chicago has beautiful places for people to go and enjoy themselves without having to spend hundreds of dollars on tickets and and other things.
[Asked about whether it would be preferable to use revenues rather than borrowing]
You mean if like manna from Heaven, a check arrived and it said ‘Give this to the Chicago Bears’ would I want to do that, is that your…?
[If there happened to be one of those funds, would that be preferable to borrowing money]
I’m unaware. If you know of one of those funds, yeah, let me know. I’m unaware of one.
Please pardon all transcription errors.
…Adding… Pritzker also had this to say when first asked about the Bears plan this afternoon…
Well, I have a few words I’d like to say like, for example, what about women’s sports? Very little has been talked about the Red Stars, for example, who asked to be heard on this subject. In addition to that, as you know, the White Sox have asked for support for a stadium for them, but the proposal that was put forward, didn’t include them and takes all the money that’s available and more just for the Bears. So, I think the proposal, again, I’m skeptical of the proposal that was put forward and and I’m even more skeptical of the ability to get enough votes for it in the General Assembly.
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Apr 25, 24 @ 3:06 pm
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Will JB stick to his word?
Comment by Joe Schmoe Thursday, Apr 25, 24 @ 3:11 pm
Can we get a smaller Mini-JB clone to run for mayor next?
Comment by Homebody Thursday, Apr 25, 24 @ 3:15 pm
Mayor Johnson, welcome to the proud Chicago Bears tradition of constantly taking what should be easily avoidable Ls.
Comment by Roadrager Thursday, Apr 25, 24 @ 3:19 pm
The New Bears President forgot to invite some folks. D’oh!
Beyoncé can put on a show in the summer. Not a big deal.
Comment by Jerry Thursday, Apr 25, 24 @ 3:40 pm
No dancing around the questions, no hesitating, no maybes or ifs — just straight talk from the Governor. I like what he’s saying and the way he’s saying it. Stay strong, Governor!
Comment by Flapdoodle Thursday, Apr 25, 24 @ 3:40 pm
In JB we trust
Comment by Shytown Thursday, Apr 25, 24 @ 3:46 pm
I confess I didn’t read everything about the Bears proposal, but JB mentioned they want to keep the revenue from other events. So they’re asking for taxpayer help to build it, but they keep all the revenue even if some other person or group generates it? What a lot of “nurve” as the 3 Stooges might say.
Comment by West Side the Best Side Thursday, Apr 25, 24 @ 3:49 pm
The Bears want to reap the private benefits of a publicly owned stadium. I believe Mayor Johnson’s role in all of this is to serve as a useful idiot. And unlike the Governor, House Speaker, and Senate President he seems to be the only one willing to take on that role.
Comment by Pundent Thursday, Apr 25, 24 @ 3:50 pm
Continually surprised what a real one JB is.
Comment by DuPage Dad Thursday, Apr 25, 24 @ 4:00 pm
I believe MBJ doubled down on this idea after JBP opposed it. The CTU (SDG) and MBJ are driven by a desire to spite the governor.
Comment by One Time Thursday, Apr 25, 24 @ 4:05 pm
yep. activities in other parks and sports for women are important. thank you Gov.
Comment by Amalia Thursday, Apr 25, 24 @ 4:05 pm
Don’t think we should be borrowing money to pay for a stadium but could someone tell me what is the definition of birth equity?
Comment by Sue Thursday, Apr 25, 24 @ 4:12 pm
==what is the definition of birth equity==
Helping to ensure that the conditions around birth and maternal outcomes are the same no matter the person’s race.
Comment by Demoralized Thursday, Apr 25, 24 @ 4:16 pm
@Sue- My understanding is birth centers provide education and services to pregnant families, midwifery, etc. Talking about birth equity presumably means a lack of these services in minority-heavy communities, which is an issue when you look at maternal and infant mortality rates in minority populations.
Basically Pritzker is saying “There are so many other things we should be spending money on before a private company gets a dime of hand outs”
Comment by Homebody Thursday, Apr 25, 24 @ 4:18 pm
Thank you-
Comment by Sue Thursday, Apr 25, 24 @ 4:20 pm
The fact Warren would stand on that podium with Mayor ( one term 25% approval rating ) without first getting and feeling from the Governor, Senate President or Speaker tells you why this guy doesn’t last long at his jobs. Not sure what was the biggest con job on Chicago last year, Johnson on the electorate or Warren on McCaskey?
Comment by Long time Independent Thursday, Apr 25, 24 @ 4:22 pm
While I generally don’t want to subsidize private for profit businesses in sports, the small amount the Red Stars would need and could be used for more community sized events could (could) be a reasonable use of tax dollars so I appreciate the Governor’s statement here.
Comment by ArchPundit Thursday, Apr 25, 24 @ 4:39 pm
Let’s hope new QB Caleb Williams doesn’t bomb as badly as this proposal.
Comment by Dance Band on the Titanic Thursday, Apr 25, 24 @ 4:41 pm
If anyone knows, please share an answer. Would public dollars make it so the land is taxed at a different rate?
Comment by HarveyGuy Thursday, Apr 25, 24 @ 4:53 pm
I have been wondering why they wouldn’t wait until after they draft Caleb and “change the environment”, get fans excited - and then roll out this plan.
Everyone will be so focused on Caleb the next few days, no one will be talking about this plan after tonight. Was that the plan?
I read someone above refer to the mayor as a useful idiot, but can that cab also apply to Warren?
Comment by Henry Francis Thursday, Apr 25, 24 @ 4:58 pm
==If anyone knows, please share an answer. Would public dollars make it so the land is taxed at a different rate?==
That’s why the Bears want a “public owned” stadium. Don’t mind they want all the revenue for said stadium. As long as it is public owned they can avoid property taxes.
Comment by Former Bartender Thursday, Apr 25, 24 @ 5:18 pm
“without first getting and feeling from the Governor, Senate President or Speaker”
*Without* is doing a lot of work there. Harmon and Welch both said they’d been briefed and shared how they felt. JB was awfully public in the ramp up about how he felt. This feels like they heard what they chose to hear, thought the media event would paper over it, and now it’s getting dragged.
Comment by Splendid Thursday, Apr 25, 24 @ 5:20 pm
I appreciate the Governor’s comments on the stadium, however I’m not a fan of taxpayer capital dollars being spent on private functions, no matter the motivation. So I’m leery of birth equity spending as well.
Looking at the images of the stadium, I understand wanting the views of the city but I still think the whole thing is a bad idea. What I would like to see is an analysis of ALL the professional sporting stadium needs in the city and a plan to address of them, including potential costs. Then a once in generation plan can be developed. Unless the teams are willing to build the stadiums themselves, they can have a say in the designs, but ultimately they can just pay rent for the usage from whoever owns the stadiums. That could be public or some other private entity.
Comment by MyTwoCents Thursday, Apr 25, 24 @ 5:27 pm
===Was that the plan?===
The timing ahead of the draft means that low-info ESPN, etc. will be trumpeting the awesome new Bears stadium proposal for a large national audience.
NFL owners love the something-something measurement contests, if you get the drift.
Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Apr 25, 24 @ 5:33 pm
Very little has been said about the team that is decades newer and draws way less fans and economic interest, correct, Governor
Comment by Model T Thursday, Apr 25, 24 @ 5:52 pm
Thanks Rich, I catch your drift, but I wouldn’t think that would be a thing with Virginia.
When you have an NFL organization that historically has been inept and dysfunctional like the Bears, and a mayoral administration that has been inept and dysfunctional throughout its brief history, it can be hard to make sense of what the two of them come up with.
Comment by Henry Francis Thursday, Apr 25, 24 @ 5:52 pm
Model T, you must not be paying attention. People have discovered that women’s sports teams are far more exciting to watch. The players are truly into their games. They love their sport. It’s so refreshing. The men’s blasé “professionalism” is becoming boring.
Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Apr 25, 24 @ 9:59 pm
Rich, you’re spot on about womens sports. The whole comment thread has been encouraging too…..
Comment by Downstate Surveyor Thursday, Apr 25, 24 @ 10:13 pm