House committee moves PILOT bill to floor
Thursday, Feb 26, 2026 - Posted by Rich Miller
* The House Revenue Committee just voted on partisan lines to move the so-called mega projects bill out of committee.
The legislation (HB910) contains no language specific to the proposed Arlington Heights Bears stadium and entertainment complex. It’s only the Payment in Lieu of Taxes stuff that the Bears also want but that has been pushed by Gov. Pritzker for years. That concept has faced resistance in the House in the past. Nobody from the team testified today, likely on purpose. They want to try to at least publicly keep this separate from a coming bill that would be specific to the AH stadium.
We’ll have more in a bit.
…Adding… Crain’s…
Qualifying projects could have their property tax valuation frozen for 23 to 40 years and negotiate a separate annual payment based on a “weighted vote” among local taxing authorities — a provision designed to ensure school districts have a seat at the table.
The developer would also be eligible for a sales tax exemption on construction materials for up to 10 years. In return, the developer would be required to sign a labor peace agreement and commit to a goal of awarding 20% of subcontracts to women- and minority-owned firms.
The agreement also must ensure “sufficient revenue” will flow to the “needs of local school districts … to meet the demands of students who reside on a megaproject site and attend a school under the jurisdiction of a local school district.”
That codicil could address concerns that the property tax break would reduce funding for schools while potentially leading to an increase in attendance.
- DS - Thursday, Feb 26, 26 @ 12:19 pm:
Rep. Buckner filed this bill so I’m wondering what’s in it for the City of Chicago.
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Feb 26, 26 @ 12:24 pm:
===I’m wondering what’s in it for the City of Chicago===
The city testified against the bill.
- Bored Chairman - Thursday, Feb 26, 26 @ 12:44 pm:
==The city testified against the bill.==
Performative. Kam will get something to save face, though.
- Save Ferris - Thursday, Feb 26, 26 @ 12:47 pm:
“partisan lines”?
So, the ILGOP is against tax breaks for big business?
- Overbay - Thursday, Feb 26, 26 @ 12:49 pm:
Republicans again prove they are unserious.
- New Day - Thursday, Feb 26, 26 @ 1:14 pm:
Bears are staying in Illinois. This deal will get done. I’d put a lot of money on that proposition. Even Kevin Warren probably can’t screw this up no matter how hard he’s been trying.
- Captain Obvious - Thursday, Feb 26, 26 @ 1:15 pm:
Tax breaks for billionaires. Thanks Democrats. What’s unserious about voting no for this? It’s a giant middle finger to every other property owner in the state.
- Rahm's Parking Meter - Thursday, Feb 26, 26 @ 1:17 pm:
GOP not bringing any votes is a joke.
- Oklahoma - Thursday, Feb 26, 26 @ 1:21 pm:
Would you call this, say, a “Peanut Punch” to the State of Indiana in the Bears Stadium battle?
- Not Rich - Thursday, Feb 26, 26 @ 1:28 pm:
Rahm Parking: please share all the things that the House D’s have done to bring Republicans into this process to earn their votes??
- Rahm's Parking Meter - Thursday, Feb 26, 26 @ 1:30 pm:
Not Rich- I honestly thought and you’re not worng that some GOP like Stephens would come on board. My assumptions were clearly wrong.
- B - Thursday, Feb 26, 26 @ 1:31 pm:
Aside from being on the wrong side of every issue, do republicans stand for anything these days?
- Think Again - Thursday, Feb 26, 26 @ 1:38 pm:
=Kevin Warren probably can’t screw this up no matter how hard he’s been trying=
Give the dude some credit - by playing multiple options - he moved IL Political leaders from a solid no to a yes on using taxpayer money for the AH stadium deal.