Capitol Fax.com - Your Illinois News Radar » Isabel’s morning briefing
SUBSCRIBE to Capitol Fax      Advertise Here      About     Exclusive Subscriber Content     Updated Posts    Contact Rich Miller
CapitolFax.com
To subscribe to Capitol Fax, click here.
Isabel’s morning briefing

Wednesday, May 3, 2023 - Posted by Isabel Miller

* Here you go…

       

49 Comments
  1. - Friendly Bob Adams - Wednesday, May 3, 23 @ 7:47 am:

    It is completely unsurprising that outgoing Mayor Lightfoot created a violence prevention committee that stopped meeting 2 years ago. Par for the course.


  2. - DuPage County AV - Wednesday, May 3, 23 @ 7:50 am:

    * Crain’s | Kaegi moves to jack up Bears’ Arlington Heights tax tab: Kaegi concluded the property was worth not the $33.5 million that 2022 owner Churchill Downs’ taxes were based on but $197 million — almost exactly the $197.2 million the Bears paid Churchill Downs for the property in February. Assuming property taxes rise by the same proportion, the bill for the property would go from $2.75 million to an estimated $16.5 million

    That’s called “Sales Chasing”, and is a big no-no in the assessment world. Unless the AO can prove that similar properties were treated the same, this could get him in a bit of trouble.


  3. - Oswego Willy - Wednesday, May 3, 23 @ 8:03 am:

    ===Unless the AO can prove that similar properties were treated the same, this could get him in a bit of trouble.===

    Has another racetrack in Illinois been bought to build a billion dollar sports complex and “business center”?

    Improving on “vacant” property after, if there’s a “legal no-no” if you can cite it I know I’d appreciate it.

    The Bears are looking for a bigger windfall at every turn, all the while they could, financially, build the facility and the surrounding area… no “bailout” as the governor as maintained.


  4. - DuPage County AV - Wednesday, May 3, 23 @ 8:07 am:

    Logically, the property sold with the highest and best use as vacant land slated for redevelopment. So to answer your first question, yes there are numerous examples of vacant property (some along a major interstate, including two the AO cited in the Crains article.) selling in Cook County. The question is how the assessor treated those sales.


  5. - Oswego Willy - Wednesday, May 3, 23 @ 8:10 am:

    Examples, but the legality…

    Otherwise, there would be no need to appeal taxes, amirite?


  6. - Oswego Willy - Wednesday, May 3, 23 @ 8:24 am:

    Keeping in mind the Washington Commanders are slated to be sold for $6 billion, with a B, while also looking at a new building “and surrounding”, no public funding or incentives.

    The Bears are worth less than the Commanders?

    C’mon.


  7. - DuPage County AV - Wednesday, May 3, 23 @ 8:27 am:

    Illegality of “Sale Chasing”, Walsh v. Property Tax Appeal Board (1998):

    The appellate court reversed, finding that the removal of the Herget House from the mass appraisal system of valuation violated the uniformity clause of the Illinois Constitution of 1970


  8. - Oswego Willy - Wednesday, May 3, 23 @ 8:28 am:

    Lastly, one of the newly slated owners of the Commanders owns the 76ers in Philly.

    Here’s what he knows about building stadiums and “surrounding”:

    ===In the summer of 2022, Josh Harris, a managing partners of the NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers, announced he is pursuing a new state of the art sports and entertainment arena in downtown Philly known as 76 Place. Philadelphia officials announced Wednesday an independent study looking into the impact the proposed arena would have on the surrounding area, from economic impact to parking and traffic.===

    The very next line?

    ===Harris’ 76 Place calls for the $1 billion arena to be privately funded with no city subsidies.===

    Not one nickel.

    The property tax issue? They could appeal, sure.

    Cite:

    https://www.wusa9.com/amp/article/news/investigations/commanders-stadium/washington-commanders-stadium-sale-dan-snyder-josh-harris-bid/65-3667a03a-3dd0-42db-834c-0f2cbf63578f


  9. - Oswego Willy - Wednesday, May 3, 23 @ 8:31 am:

    - DuPage County AV -

    The Bears should take them to court.

    Boy, that’ll be great for goodwill, lol

    “We’ll see”

    Thanks for the cite. Appreciate that.


  10. - DuPage County AV - Wednesday, May 3, 23 @ 8:33 am:

    Read the Crains article, they are already appealing the value.


  11. - Oswego Willy - Wednesday, May 3, 23 @ 8:36 am:

    === they are already appealing the value.===

    (Sigh)

    ===The Bears should take them to court.===

    I got that. The Bears can handle a lil teasing.

    Plus, it’s enjoyable when it cost them money to be cheap.

    :)


  12. - supplied_demand - Wednesday, May 3, 23 @ 8:43 am:

    It’s an interesting argument to say, “This land is worth far less than we paid for it.”

    Maybe they should have paid less?


  13. - regular democrat - Wednesday, May 3, 23 @ 8:50 am:

    The Bears have a right to appeal the tax bill I dont begrudge them for that and they may have a valid case. There is no appetite for public funds for this project and as the economy appears to be shifting negative the public dollars will become more scarce. Note to the Bears: build the stadium privately and upon completion sell the team property etc family set for life.


  14. - Oswego Willy - Wednesday, May 3, 23 @ 8:51 am:

    The problem with the Bears is they approached this in a sneaky way to seemingly “stick it” to the city, “Lightfoot”, all their perceived “enemies”, but forgot that they need help from allies… and they are “cheap”.

    Instead of building a plan, upon the sale, others were in line to aid in needs… they just plum bought land and tried to Bigfoot the Footprint to whatever taxing or financing would, in - LP -‘s words “maximize revenues”

    The governor has very recently referred to all this as a “bailout”… that can’t be great to reversing the thinking… now magically it’s not a “bailout”?

    The Bears can afford the taxes, the financing, they can get it done, and I’m totally in support of sewer/water upgrade *outside* the footprint, also in support of all area road improvements needed too.

    Just don’t tell me this project is about “maximizing revenues” while also asking for a gubernatorial described “bailout”


  15. - Nauvoo Republicans - Wednesday, May 3, 23 @ 8:59 am:

    Tom Cullerton out of prison and now a registered lobbyist.


  16. - regular democrat - Wednesday, May 3, 23 @ 9:02 am:

    I have been in full agreement with you OW all the way on this issue. For some reason it really irritates me that the Bears finally did something right and have a once in a lifetime chance to rectify their stadium situation but cant get out their own way when it comes to PR. I think Pritzker to his credit is trying to wake them up from this haze and telling them firmly no bailout.


  17. - Lucky Pierre - Wednesday, May 3, 23 @ 9:08 am:

    Save the bailouts for those in the Mc Clain Rolodex who know how to game the system

    Imagine the gall of a business maximizing revenues

    Seems like the Bears have plenty of support with Arlington Heights government who are elected to represent the community not as much with the virtue signallers but it is still early


  18. - hisgirlfriday - Wednesday, May 3, 23 @ 9:15 am:

    Very disgusted by the developments in Danville.

    They know that voting to ban abortion in their town is illegal and will waste lots of taxpayer dollars in lawsuits against their illegal conduct. Yet they vote that way anyway.

    And the anti-abortion activists from Texas and Indiana who parachuted in to whip up this frenzy won’t have to pay a dime.


  19. - Rich Miller - Wednesday, May 3, 23 @ 9:21 am:

    ===Seems like the Bears have plenty of support with Arlington Heights government===

    Yeah? I don’t recall the mayor and school board leaders testifying in favor of or endorsing an actual bill, do you?


  20. - Oswego Willy - Wednesday, May 3, 23 @ 9:24 am:

    ===Imagine the gall of a business maximizing revenues===

    So the Bears *can* afford to go it alone… got it.

    ===Seems like the Bears have plenty of support with Arlington Heights government===

    You forget the school boards? Why are they hiring lobbyists, to support this bailout?

    ===virtue signallers===

    Gotta be honest, if you were tasked to get support of 60/71 and 30/36 with a signature… you are quite terrible at getting allies, lol


  21. - Pundent - Wednesday, May 3, 23 @ 9:30 am:

    =Imagine the gall of a business maximizing revenues=

    I’m not sure that “maximizing revenues” would be the term I would use. Sounds to me more like “public assistance” a/k/a “socialism.” As an asset the Bears will continue to appreciate as all NFL teams do. I don’t see why the taxpayers should be expected to aid that. Doesn’t seem like many pols do either.


  22. - Demoralized - Wednesday, May 3, 23 @ 9:48 am:

    ==you are quite terrible==

    He’s always been quite terrible with that. He finds his time better spent shouting into the wind rather than figuring out what is actually doable. Of course when you are as arrogant as he is it’s not surprising. I find that people who think they are always right rarely are right about anything.


  23. - Demoralized - Wednesday, May 3, 23 @ 9:49 am:

    @Pundent

    LP is the Bears number one fan when it comes to having the government fund them. You would think he was their lobbyist as much as he shills for them.


  24. - Demoralized - Wednesday, May 3, 23 @ 9:50 am:

    ==will waste lots of taxpayer dollars ==

    They’ve already received a promise of a free defense. So I guess why not shoot for the moon regardless of knowing that what they did was illegal.


  25. - 48th Ward Heel - Wednesday, May 3, 23 @ 10:02 am:

    My folks live in Arlington Heights and they say the general mood is ambivalent bordering on anxious.

    Also, a lot of people don’t appreciate that the Arlington Park site is right on the edge of town, bordering Palatine and Rolling Meadows. Obviously their municipal governments don’t have any say in municipal zoning issues and such, but they can weigh in at the county and state level. I believe the Village of Palatine has already expressed its frustration at being left out of the planning process.


  26. - Ex Bears Fan - Wednesday, May 3, 23 @ 10:16 am:

    Ultimately any taxes will just be passed on to ticket holders and other patrons of the development. Would you want to pay higher ticket prices for a team run by owners who can’t put a winning team out there because they’re cheap.


  27. - JS Mill - Wednesday, May 3, 23 @ 10:17 am:

    =Seems like the Bears have plenty of support with Arlington Heights government who are elected to represent the community=

    The school board presidents of the K-8 and 9-12 school districts (elected officials representing the interests of the communities) are on the phone and would like to share their thoughts with you.


  28. - Leap Day William - Wednesday, May 3, 23 @ 10:20 am:

    Very disgusted by the developments in Danville.

    They know that voting to ban abortion in their town is illegal and will waste lots of taxpayer dollars in lawsuits against their illegal conduct. Yet they vote that way anyway.

    And the anti-abortion activists from Texas and Indiana who parachuted in to whip up this frenzy won’t have to pay a dime.

    But they’ve got a lawyer who will defend it court pro bono, remember? /sarcasm

    This is absolutely going to cost them money to defend, one way or another. Meanwhile, I drove through that area recently and appreciate the irony that there are multiple westbound billboards (coming into Illinois from Indiana) advertising the Champaign-Urbana Planned Parenthood clinic and its services, and there was just one westbound (so, heading out of state) advertising the Danville crisis pregnancy center. Swing and a miss, CPC.

    End the end, I hope these Danville kids see what a silly waste of resources this was.


  29. - supplied_demand - Wednesday, May 3, 23 @ 10:22 am:

    More government spending (on healthcare, education, transportation) is bad, except when it’s good (helping private companies make more money).


  30. - Rich Miller - Wednesday, May 3, 23 @ 10:32 am:

    LP, your comments are being held because you made the claim that the Bears have plenty of support from AH government officials. I asked for an explanation. I still haven’t seen it. The only way you’re getting out of this deep hole is to start being truthful, and that includes explaining yourself when called out by this website’s owner, which is me.


  31. - Jibba - Wednesday, May 3, 23 @ 10:37 am:

    Virtue signaling to want people to pay their fair share of taxes? SMH.


  32. - Lucky Pierre - Wednesday, May 3, 23 @ 10:40 am:

    The village government has explicitly voted last Fall to reject banning tax subsidies and has agreed to negotiate with the Bears on a deal

    https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/sports/chicago-football/in-win-for-chicago-bears-arlington-heights-village-board-rejects-ban-on-tax-incentives/2957391/?amp=1


  33. - Oswego Willy - Wednesday, May 3, 23 @ 10:44 am:

    ===reject banning tax subsidies and has agreed to negotiate with the Bears on a deal===

    Explain why school boards are looking for lobbyists to this issue.

    Thanks.


  34. - Rich Miller - Wednesday, May 3, 23 @ 10:45 am:

    ===explicitly voted last Fall to reject banning tax subsidies===

    That was likely more about existing subsidies.

    ===agreed to negotiate with the Bears on a deal===

    That doesn’t necessarily signal support for any plan.

    But, OK. At least you tried to explain. Thanks.


  35. - H-W - Wednesday, May 3, 23 @ 10:47 am:

    You know, if the Bears would actually win regular games and playoff games and win the division, case closed. There would be no issue here. Investors would be lining up to make sure this happens.

    Just sayin’


  36. - Lucky Pierre - Wednesday, May 3, 23 @ 11:00 am:

    I watched the entire village board meeting online it definitely got heated.

    The village board was accused of being on the take from the Bears with absolutely zero evidence.

    They unanimously agreed to keep all options on the table

    Estimates are 48,000 jobs , 9,700 of them permanent, with 1.4 billion in economic input every year to the community.

    Of course the village government is keeping an open mind, their fiduciary responsibilities require it.

    https://wgntv.com/news/northwest-suburbs/arlington-heights-village-board-strikes-down-ordinance-aiming-to-block-taxpayer-funded-subsidies-for-bears-new-stadium/


  37. - Oswego Willy - Wednesday, May 3, 23 @ 11:12 am:

    ===Of course the village government is keeping an open mind, their fiduciary responsibilities require it.===

    Third try,

    Why are school boards looking to hire lobbyists, is it to support the Bears?


  38. - Stuck in Celliniland - Wednesday, May 3, 23 @ 11:22 am:

    Someone needs to issue a House or Senate resolution ordering the Bears to send all bills and invoices for the construction of their new stadium to “New York Jets, LLC” care of “Mr. A. Rodgers, Esq.” Let him foot all the bills and related costs for the new stadium, since he owns the Bears.


  39. - Lucky Pierre - Wednesday, May 3, 23 @ 11:51 am:

    Maybe you should call the school board yourself OW

    I am sure you realize the city leaders would not approve a project that is not in the best interests of the city and surrounding communities in terms of on increased jobs, economic activity and tax revenue


  40. - Oswego Willy - Wednesday, May 3, 23 @ 12:10 pm:

    ===Maybe you should===

    So school boards are hiring lobbyists against the Bears. Got it.

    ===Seems like the Bears have plenty of support with Arlington Heights government===

    As long as the horrific damage is only for the schools?

    ===I am sure you realize the city leaders would not approve a project that is not in the best interests of the city and surrounding communities in terms of on increased jobs, economic activity and tax revenue===

    At the costs of the schools

    If it’s so great, why the need for the subsidies?

    I know you’re not in favor of governments purposely maximizing revenues for companies.

    If you like, I can show you where you’ve said a time or two that government shouldn’t be in the business of picking winners and losers.

    Ignoring the damage to schools, for a dollar… not a good look for the Bears.


  41. - Demoralized - Wednesday, May 3, 23 @ 12:16 pm:

    LP

    Are you being paid by the bears to be such a fervent supporter of their quest for government subsidies? If not I would give them a call to see if you can get on their lobbyist payroll.


  42. - Stuck in Celliniland - Wednesday, May 3, 23 @ 12:50 pm:

    Just move the Bears back to Decatur and be done with it. Reps. Scherer or Caulkins, perhaps consider filing a bill or resolution–or as a House amendment to the Arlington Heights legislation–calling for the Bears to “return home.”


  43. - Captain Obvious - Wednesday, May 3, 23 @ 12:54 pm:

    I am greatly encouraged by the developments in Danville. It brings me great joy to see the rights of the unborn protected against overwhelming odds.


  44. - Lucky Pierre - Wednesday, May 3, 23 @ 1:03 pm:

    School board is upset about plan that has not been introduced yet but must be inherently bad

    Does that sum it up for you?


  45. - Just a guy - Thursday, May 4, 23 @ 12:28 pm:

    The Bears on the valuation side are, as of 2022, the league’s 5th most-valuable franchise - https://www.forbes.com/nfl-valuations/list/ - but in terms of revenue, they rank middle of the pack at 15. This is the thing that folks fail to realize, or understand, when looking at where the Bears are. The NBC Sports Chicago documentary Bear Down and Out does a great job explaining this move - and just why it’s happening, https://youtu.be/ksyeJF4-LVo

    Again, the McCaskeys don’t have money. They have a team worth money, that’s made them money. They don’t own a real estate conglomerate, or have billions in oil money. They have a team that plays in the most valuable league in the world. In essence, the family has won the lottery. But like Leila Rahimi says in that documentary, “it’s a billionaire’s league now.” And while the Bears are worth billions on paper, the McCaskeys only have those billions if they sell the team.

    It’s going to be very interesting to see how all of this plays out.


  46. - Oswego Willy - Thursday, May 4, 23 @ 12:44 pm:

    === Again, the McCaskeys don’t have money.===

    “Again”, not my concern or the concern of Illinois taxpayers.

    The McCaskeys aren’t victims.

    Build the building, the revenue will increase and they will move up from 15th.

    The Bears can get a loan. Businesses do it all the time… maybe folks are failing to realize, or understand why someone needs to bailout billionaires.

    We don’t need to, let them figure it out.

    Not one nickel


  47. - Just a guy - Thursday, May 4, 23 @ 3:35 pm:

    OW, for the record I’m not proposing that taxpayers bail them out. And for the record, I’m a Lions fan, so I don’t have a dog in this fight. But I have friends that work for the organization, some of whom are very high up on the executive side (makes for some interesting conversations, especially during the draft). And when you look at what is proposed as far as the buildout they are looking to do at Arlington, they’ll need at least $5 billion to build it - roughly the same value the team has right now. And therein is why I said this will be very interesting. There is no Stan Kronke money coming in from elsewhere to build this. So, if the Bears indeed want to move, they (the McCaskey’s) are going to have to put a lot on the line out there.


  48. - Oswego Willy - Thursday, May 4, 23 @ 3:58 pm:

    === And when you look at what is proposed as far as the buildout they are looking to do at Arlington, they’ll need at least $5 billion to build it - roughly the same value the team has right now.===

    Not one person is requiring the Bears to build anything.

    So there’s that.

    I think what you fail to realize and maybe you need to understand, “wants” are just that.

    Wants.

    Like, I don’t want a Bears billionaire bailout without at least $300 million to the city… and with guarantees for schools.

    Then it’s only a maybe… for a “want”.


  49. - Oswego Willy - Thursday, May 4, 23 @ 3:59 pm:

    This alone…

    === So, if the Bears indeed want to move, they (the McCaskey’s) are going to have to put a lot on the line out there.===

    That’s the cost of doing business, no?

    They can choose lots of things.


Sorry, comments for this post are now closed.


* Carp-e Diem!
* Roundup: Jurors see Madigan’s list of recommended hires for Pritzker administration
* Open thread
* Isabel’s morning briefing
* Live coverage
* Selected press releases (Live updates)
* Yesterday's stories

Support CapitolFax.com
Visit our advertisers...

...............

...............

...............

...............

...............

...............

...............


Loading


Main Menu
Home
Illinois
YouTube
Pundit rankings
Obama
Subscriber Content
Durbin
Burris
Blagojevich Trial
Advertising
Updated Posts
Polls

Archives
December 2024
November 2024
October 2024
September 2024
August 2024
July 2024
June 2024
May 2024
April 2024
March 2024
February 2024
January 2024
December 2023
November 2023
October 2023
September 2023
August 2023
July 2023
June 2023
May 2023
April 2023
March 2023
February 2023
January 2023
December 2022
November 2022
October 2022
September 2022
August 2022
July 2022
June 2022
May 2022
April 2022
March 2022
February 2022
January 2022
December 2021
November 2021
October 2021
September 2021
August 2021
July 2021
June 2021
May 2021
April 2021
March 2021
February 2021
January 2021
December 2020
November 2020
October 2020
September 2020
August 2020
July 2020
June 2020
May 2020
April 2020
March 2020
February 2020
January 2020
December 2019
November 2019
October 2019
September 2019
August 2019
July 2019
June 2019
May 2019
April 2019
March 2019
February 2019
January 2019
December 2018
November 2018
October 2018
September 2018
August 2018
July 2018
June 2018
May 2018
April 2018
March 2018
February 2018
January 2018
December 2017
November 2017
October 2017
September 2017
August 2017
July 2017
June 2017
May 2017
April 2017
March 2017
February 2017
January 2017
December 2016
November 2016
October 2016
September 2016
August 2016
July 2016
June 2016
May 2016
April 2016
March 2016
February 2016
January 2016
December 2015
November 2015
October 2015
September 2015
August 2015
July 2015
June 2015
May 2015
April 2015
March 2015
February 2015
January 2015
December 2014
November 2014
October 2014
September 2014
August 2014
July 2014
June 2014
May 2014
April 2014
March 2014
February 2014
January 2014
December 2013
November 2013
October 2013
September 2013
August 2013
July 2013
June 2013
May 2013
April 2013
March 2013
February 2013
January 2013
December 2012
November 2012
October 2012
September 2012
August 2012
July 2012
June 2012
May 2012
April 2012
March 2012
February 2012
January 2012
December 2011
November 2011
October 2011
September 2011
August 2011
July 2011
June 2011
May 2011
April 2011
March 2011
February 2011
January 2011
December 2010
November 2010
October 2010
September 2010
August 2010
July 2010
June 2010
May 2010
April 2010
March 2010
February 2010
January 2010
December 2009
November 2009
October 2009
September 2009
August 2009
July 2009
June 2009
May 2009
April 2009
March 2009
February 2009
January 2009
December 2008
November 2008
October 2008
September 2008
August 2008
July 2008
June 2008
May 2008
April 2008
March 2008
February 2008
January 2008
December 2007
November 2007
October 2007
September 2007
August 2007
July 2007
June 2007
May 2007
April 2007
March 2007
February 2007
January 2007
December 2006
November 2006
October 2006
September 2006
August 2006
July 2006
June 2006
May 2006
April 2006
March 2006
February 2006
January 2006
December 2005
April 2005
March 2005
February 2005
January 2005
December 2004
November 2004
October 2004

Blog*Spot Archives
November 2005
October 2005
September 2005
August 2005
July 2005
June 2005
May 2005

Syndication

RSS Feed 2.0
Comments RSS 2.0




Hosted by MCS SUBSCRIBE to Capitol Fax Advertise Here Mobile Version Contact Rich Miller