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Isabel’s morning briefing
Thursday, Apr 25, 2024 - Posted by Isabel Miller * ICYMI: Bears have designs on the lakefront, as Mayor Johnson plays the wrong position of cheerleader-in-chief. Lee Bey…
But the public and elected officials, not the Bears, should be the ones deciding what remedies are needed. Meanwhile, the Bears said they will pay $2 billion to design and construct the publicly-owned stadium — with the help of the NFL and the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority. There is a catch though: The team also said it would require an additional $1.5 billion in public infrastructure and transit to make all those pretty renderings fully come to life. * Related stories…
∙ Greg Hinz: The Bears’ big stadium ask faces an equally big battle ∙ Crain’s: Ringing endorsement of Bears plan raises the political stakes for Johnson Governor Pritzker will be at the University of Illinois Chicago at 2 pm to announce new action plan addressing homelessness. Click here to watch. * Druker, Yadgir & Haupt…
* The Guardian | Mega-warehouses heap more pollution on hard-hit Illinois neighborhoods: Two million people in Illinois live within a half-mile of large warehouses, which are disproportionately located in low-income neighborhoods and communities of color. A new report by the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) identified at least 2,400 leased warehouses covering 632m sq ft – a 33% rise from the previous decade. * WAND | Illinois Secretary of State, Attorney General prioritize cybersecurity in budget requests: Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias is proposing an $825 million budget for Fiscal Year 2025. Giannoulias explained his team spent $75 million to improve his office’s technology last year, but he believes there are still critical needs in cybersecurity. Giannoulias stressed that the Secretary of State’s IT systems had not been updated in decades and the only employees who understand the technology are set to retire. * 21st Show | State Senator Celina Villanueva speaks on budget priorities, migrant support, and latino voting trends: Our conversation will begin with a discussion on the state budget allocation and the legislative priorities of the Latino Caucus for this session. We will then shift our focus to the topic of migrants, discussing the current influx and Senator Villanueva’s stance on the funding allocated for them. * WCIA | Senator Scott M. Bennett Memorial Highway signs to be hung this week: IDOT will hang the signs up along portions of I-74 between Route 45 and the Indiana state line Thursday, according to State Senator Paul Faraci (D-Champaign). Faraci, a friend of Bennett and his successor in the Illinois State Senate, announced he is holding a dedication ceremony for the new signs Thursday morning at 10 a.m. in Oakwood at the village hall. He passed the legislation for the signs last year. Family and friends of Bennett will also be in attendance. * First Listen | Governor Pritzker not making any guarantees on a new Logan Correctional Center: Governor Pritzker not making any guarantees on a new Logan Correctional Center, a major bond rating agency has upgraded Illinois’ credit rating, And an Illinois State Police squad car hit on I-55 near Litchfield over the weekend. * WTTW | Rainbow PUSH Coalition Searching for New Leader After CEO Steps Down Just Months After Taking the Job: Rainbow PUSH Coalition said in a statement the search for an interim president is underway and that Yusef Jackson, the group’s COO and the son of Jackson Sr., will provide day-to-day oversight in the meantime. * Daily Herald | Southwest flights from O’Hare to dip this summer amid Boeing fallout: As the company waits for more planes from Boeing, Southwest Airlines is scaling back O’Hare International Airport flights by about 40% this summer. “We are revising our summer schedule due to delays related to receiving new aircraft deliveries from Boeing,” Southwest spokesman Dan Landson said Wednesday. * Sun-Times | Art Institute argues it legally owns watercolor: ‘No evidence’ it was ‘ever physically seized or “looted” by Nazis.’: The Art Institute of Chicago contends that decades of investigation and litigation have concluded that a watercolor it now holds was never stolen by the Nazis from a cabaret performer who later died in a concentration camp — but rather was legally sold by the man’s heirs. In a detailed court filing Tuesday, the Art Institute argued that New York prosecutors’ allegations that they were holding artwork stolen during the Holocaust are groundless. * Sun-Times | Chicago rat hole in Roscoe Village removed by city: “[The Chicago Department of Transportation] is removing and replacing sections of damaged sidewalk on Roscoe Street between Wolcott and Damen in coordination with the Alderman’s office,” CDOT said in a statement. The nouveau tourist attraction was preserved, but its future home is yet to be determined, CDOT said. * Daily Herald | ‘We are at a standstill’: DuPage County Board and County Clerk at odds over clerk’s authority: DuPage County Clerk Jean Kaczmarek continues to refuse to answer questions about no-bid contracts awarded by her office, potentially setting the stage for a legal fight with the county board. Kaczmarek has come under scrutiny by county board members after an April 11 memo from county Auditor Bill White said two invoices, totaling more than $250,000, from the clerk’s office stemmed from no-bid contracts. On Wednesday, White said three other unpaid bills, totaling more than $135,000, also were the result of no-bid contracts. All of the bills were related to work performed for the April primary. * Daily Southtown | Dolton and Mayor Tiffany Henyard hit with another lawsuit from business owner: A federal lawsuit filed against Dolton and Mayor Tiffany Henyard alleges a business license for a barber shop was denied due to “arbitrary and capricious” actions by the mayor. It’s the latest in a string of lawsuits filed in state and federal court against the village and Henyard, many of which allege retaliatory actions by the mayor and her administration aimed at those who do not support her politically or financially. Tyrone Isom Jr. ultimately did not receive a license to open his barber shop and said he had to sell the property, after putting in thousands of dollars to remodel the building, according to his lawsuit. * Tribune | Northwestern University hazing lawsuits on new track after claims school attorneys mishandled confidential information: Broadly speaking, the lawsuits from former players appeared to be on their way to a settlement, and the Fitzgerald lawsuit was headed for trial next year. But now there appears to be little hope of resolving the ex-players’ suits via mediation, attorneys said. That process “has gotten us not only nowhere but backward,” attorney Lance Northcutt , who represents multiple former players, said in court Tuesday. * NBC Chicago | Suburban Chicago mall permanently closed over the weekend: Stratford Square Mall in Bloomingdale, the once bustling mall of the 90s, closed for good on Sunday, nearly one month after plans to shutter the mall were first announced. As of Monday, the mall’s website has been removed. Opened in 1981, the mall was previously anchored by Sears, Marshall Fields, and Carson Pirie Scott. It faced many challenges, like other malls across the country trying to keep up with the changing retail landscape, the surge of online shopping and the economy. * Tribune | Angel Reese isn’t taking anything for granted as a WNBA rookie, but her goals for the Chicago Sky are set: ‘I want to dominate’: Throughout her introductory news conference Wednesday, Reese kept emphasizing that she can’t get ahead of herself. She knows the harsh reality of making a roster in the WNBA — and she’s prepared to fight for her spot on the Sky this season. “I don’t want to go into the league thinking that I’m automatically on the team because I’m not,” Reese said. “Anybody can get cut any given day. We have amazing vets on our team and I know they’re gonna push me every day to get even better. There’s no given spot. I don’t take this moment for granted (like) I’m just gonna have it given to me. I need to go out there and earn my spot.” * Tribune | OK, then what? After likely drafting Caleb Williams at No. 1, here are 11 players the Chicago Bears might target at No. 9.: General manager Ryan Poles is excited about the flexibility he likely will have with the team’s second top-10 pick, while coach Matt Eberflus said at last month’s owners meetings he expects the Bears to land a “blue player” at No. 9, the color-coded label that indicates the highest level of prospect. That means the Bears anticipate adding an immediate impact starter. * Bloomberg | Allstate will insure California homes again — under one condition: Allstate confirmed in a statement to Bloomberg News that it seeks to increase its market share in California, but rates must “fully reflect the cost of providing insurance to consumers” before agreeing to lift its current restrictions. The new rules will allow for rate increases that the company says will ensure they can pay customers’ claims in the event of a fire, according to the statement. * Crain’s | Why Realtor settlement might not change commissions much — or even at all: To be clear, Realtor commissions are unlikely to go away. Traditionally, broker compensation was advertised on multiple listing sites visible only to Realtors, but that practice will be prohibited. Under the settlement agreement announced in March, listing agents will no longer be permitted to advertise the commission to buyers’ agents, a practice that change advocates have said led representatives toward homes with higher commissions, a breach of fiduciary duty for Realtors working on behalf of buyers.
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- low level - Thursday, Apr 25, 24 @ 8:15 am:
Usually we talk about 60-30-1. Right now the Bears are at 20-10-0. Can they overcome that in a month?
- Southern Belle - Thursday, Apr 25, 24 @ 8:51 am:
I find the NPR interview with Gov. Pritzker regarding Logan CC very interesting. Since, his IDOC Director and his CFO committed in the Senate appropriations committee last week to funding $275mil and $450 mil of the $900 mil to be spent on a new facility there. Makes me wonder now if they lied when asked if it was their plan to make the “new Stateville Co-Ed. They say no plan to do so. I think they are lying. What a foolish idea!!
- ZC - Thursday, Apr 25, 24 @ 9:20 am:
low level,
And then throw in the inevitable lawsuit from Friends of the Parks.
Can Springfield or City Hall deactivate that, even if they wished? (genuinely don’t know, but I don’t -think- so …)
I just don’t see it.
- low level - Thursday, Apr 25, 24 @ 9:31 am:
== I just don’t see it.==
I completely agree w that assessment. Its like they are down by 10 at the start of the 4th Quarter. Doable but not very likely.
- supplied_demand - Thursday, Apr 25, 24 @ 9:40 am:
==public and elected officials, not the Bears, should be the ones deciding what remedies are needed.==
Neither of those groups are planners or transit experts either. Lee Bay should be consistent.
- City Zen - Thursday, Apr 25, 24 @ 9:46 am:
==Mega-warehouses heap more pollution on hard-hit Illinois neighborhoods==
We want jobs. We don’t want jobs. We want jobs in walkable, affordable communities, then complain when an employer locates in those communities. We brag we’re a national hub, then act surprised when all that activity has a negative impact.
Maybe we should all open up olive oil shops.
- Back to the Future - Thursday, Apr 25, 24 @ 9:50 am:
Looking at the Chicago skyline, we know we have the building trades people that can build both stadiums.
Also looking at the current skyline you just don’t see many crains up and working.
These stadiums would create an awful lot of good paying jobs for hard working tax paying union folks.
Absolutely appreciate the comments made against these stadium ideas, but thinking a couple of great first class stadiums for a great first class city like Chicago needs to happen.
- Lincoln Lad - Thursday, Apr 25, 24 @ 9:57 am:
So if the Bears fully funded a stadium build, to include extensive infrastructure improvements to accommodate the build; can the Park District be expected to build a park to include the historic collonades? Will that include the removal of the current stadium? Will the Bears still be paying market rent for a $6B expenditure that will be handed to the City, and will the City maintain that $6B facility satisfactorily? The Ricketts own Wrigley - building and ground. The Bears will not own a lakefront facility under any circumstance. Not an apple to apple comparison. No public money for a facility to be owned by the City… not sure that is entirely reasonable. Should be a thoughtful review and negotiation to see if terms could be reached.
- Jerry - Thursday, Apr 25, 24 @ 10:10 am:
The same day the Rat Hole is filled the Bears announce a stadium.
Queue the Twilight Zone theme.
- Cool Papa Bell - Thursday, Apr 25, 24 @ 10:16 am:
=Looking at the Chicago skyline, we know we have the building trades people that can build both stadiums. Also looking at the current skyline you just don’t see many crains up and working.=
Those cranes build privately funded office towers and apartment buildings. No reason these stadiums can’t be built with private dollars the way they were in Los Angeles, New York and New England.
- Friendly Bob Adams - Thursday, Apr 25, 24 @ 10:17 am:
I hope Jesse White is getting paid for the endorsement of the new firm created by his former staff. They are really relying on his name.
- JS Mill - Thursday, Apr 25, 24 @ 10:20 am:
=Maybe we should all open up olive oil shops.=
And balsamic vinegar. You forgot balsamic vinegar, it is awesome.
- Excitable Boy - Thursday, Apr 25, 24 @ 10:25 am:
- These stadiums would create an awful lot of good paying jobs for hard working tax paying union folks. -
So could a lot of public projects that aren’t for the benefit of billionaires.
- supplied_demand - Thursday, Apr 25, 24 @ 10:27 am:
==Los Angeles, New York and New England==
I think you mean Inglewood, New Jersey, and Foxborough. All built on cheap land outside of cities and hard to get to.
- Lincoln Lad - Thursday, Apr 25, 24 @ 10:37 am:
SoFi Stadium is owned by Stan Kroenke, not the city of Inglewood. Foxboro is owned by Bob Kraft. Yankee Stadium and Citi Field were built with significant subsidies. The Bears can build whatever they want in Arlington Heights… and will own it. They will never own the lakefront site. It all comes down to a negotiation… and I do think the city benefits greatly by hosting Super Bowls… hosting Final Fours… and putting trades to work.
- Cool Papa Bell - Thursday, Apr 25, 24 @ 10:41 am:
=I think you mean Inglewood, New Jersey, and Foxborough. All built on cheap land outside of cities and hard to get to.=
I’ll grant you Foxborough. But if you think Inglewood and East Rutherford are “outside of cities” or on “cheap” land we aren’t having a serious conversation. The Giants/Jets play less than 10 miles from the Empire State Building. The LA Metro is it’s own distinct animal and you can’t be close to everything.
Now Arlington Heights? That’s 35 miles from the Loop.
Since plenty of out of the way stadiums are built with public dollars, I’m not sure of your greater point.
Mine is, you can find examples of private dollars being used to construct stadiums.
Another great one is that out of the way place called Wrigley Field. And when the Ricketts bought the team, every improvement has been privately funded.
- Six Degrees of Separation - Thursday, Apr 25, 24 @ 11:02 am:
I’ll bet that if I owned 320 acres of land in an urban area (which the Bears do), I could build a stadium holding 70,000 people and the infrastructure to support it for $2 billion or less. May not be as glitzy or climate controlled as one might like, but in the words of Field of Dreams, “if you build it, they will come”. Come to think of it, they’d probably come to Dyersburg, IA too.
- Bogey Golfer - Thursday, Apr 25, 24 @ 11:15 am:
1. Are the Bears factoring the money accrued from the sale of their AH site in their contribution to the Lakefront site?
2. Is the estimated revenue from PSLs included in their contribution.
The point here is that the McCaskeys are putting a lot of their prior money into this project.
I maintain that AH is not out of consideration. However the Local officials there need to come together and realize the sum of the whole is greater than each entity.
- supplied_demand - Thursday, Apr 25, 24 @ 11:15 am:
==But if you think Inglewood and East Rutherford are “outside of cities” or on “cheap” land we aren’t having a serious conversation.==
I’ve been to MetLife, it is in the middle of an industrial complex surrounded by marshes.
Inglewood is one of the most dangerous areas in LA. Part of the sales pitch for building the stadium was the opportunity to improve the surrounding area.
- Cool Papa Bell - Thursday, Apr 25, 24 @ 11:40 am:
= and I do think the city benefits greatly by hosting Super Bowls… hosting Final Fours… and putting trades to work.=
a Super Bowl, a Final Four
=I’ve been to MetLife, it is in the middle of an industrial complex surrounded by marshes.=
If the Giants had the nerve the Bears do, they could have insisted they build just north of the Ramble and sandwiched a stadium behind the the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
- Larry Bowa Jr. - Thursday, Apr 25, 24 @ 11:42 am:
“you just don’t see many crains up and working”
Love this vibes based economic analysis.
Nice city you got there, but it needs more cranes. Without the cranes there’s no economy!
Cranes = money
- Jocko - Thursday, Apr 25, 24 @ 12:00 pm:
==McCaskeys are putting a lot of their prior money into this project.==
Thanks for the spit-take. The 2002 renovation cost $632 million, with $200 million split between the McCaskeys and NFL. As for AH, no one put a gun to their head to purchase the property (as they proceed to Welsh on their tax burden).
- supplied_demand - Thursday, Apr 25, 24 @ 12:16 pm:
==If the Giants had the nerve the Bears do==
The Giants built the new stadium right next to their old stadium, just as the Bears are proposing. Two of your stadium examples also house multiple NFL teams, doubling the private money available.
- Pundent - Thursday, Apr 25, 24 @ 12:35 pm:
=Two of your stadium examples also house multiple NFL teams, doubling the private money available.=
Why do the taxpayers have to fill a role that is easily met by a lender? The Bears could borrow the money needed to fulfill their stadium dreams. Yet they choose not to. And the only reason that I can come up with is good old fashioned greed.
- Cool Papa Bell - Thursday, Apr 25, 24 @ 12:51 pm:
=Two of your stadium examples also house multiple NFL teams, doubling the private money available.=
SoFi is owned wholly by Stan Kroenke. MetLife is a joint venture. Kraft built his own in New England, but that’s too far out of town I guess to count.
Wiggle around all you want. NFL stadiums can and have been built with only private money.
- supplied_demand - Thursday, Apr 25, 24 @ 1:24 pm:
==Wiggle around all you want. NFL stadiums can and have been built with only private money. ==
Nobody said they couldn’t or haven’t. I’m suggesting there is more nuance than you are allowing by focusing on these three specific stadiums. Foxboro did get public money for infrastructure when built.
https://www.reviewjournal.com/sports/raiders-nfl/stadium-and-rent-details-for-all-32-nfl-teams/
- Cool Papa Bell - Thursday, Apr 25, 24 @ 2:00 pm:
A list of bad deals doesn’t mean the City of Chicago and the State of Illinois should be doomed to be included on the next one.
My nuance, ends at a team worth $6.5 billion, who has an operating revenue of more than $200 million. Asking for billions in new and continued public funding - at a point when old debts are still outstanding.
You do your own nuance.
- btowntruthfromforgottonia. - Thursday, Apr 25, 24 @ 6:09 pm:
Huge Bears fan hyah…..
They shouldn’t get one public cent for the building of that stadium.