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.
…Adding… The House has adjourned without taking up HB910.
…Adding… Sun-Times…
Ahead of the vote, Buckner appeared on “The Fran Spielman Show” podcast and said the infrastructure wish list that started at $855 million has been whittled down to $734 million and said, “We’re still talking through it.”
But Buckner told the Chicago Sun-Times that whatever the final number turns out to be, the Chicago legislative delegation will demand similar help to renovate and refresh Soldier Field and ease the transportation bottleneck that makes it difficult to get in and out of the Museum Campus.
“We’ve still got some things to work on, including Chicago and what happens with Chicago and a Chicago package,” he said.
* Daily Herald…
The measure would allow the Bears or any developer spending at least $500 million on a project statewide to negotiate tax payments directly with affected local governments. The latest proposal would expand the tax treatment to developers who invest $250 million and agree to hire 50 new full-time employees, or spend $100 million and hire 100 people. […]
Another new item in Buckner’s bill: the tax break couldn’t apply to residential property, amid questions of whether the Bears could get such a deal for their entire proposed $5 billion entertainment and mixed-use district, or just the $2 billion domed stadium.
* Indianapolis Star…
In the arms race between Indiana and Illinois to attract the Chicago Bears, Indiana lawmakers made a pivotal step on Feb. 26, sending a bill that outlines their financial package to Gov. Mike Braun for approval.
Indiana’s Senate Bill 27, which lists the financial incentives and authority to build a stadium in northwest Indiana, passed the Senate for a final time by a 45-4 vote.
- 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.
- Save Ferris - Thursday, Feb 26, 26 @ 1:57 pm:
“It’s a giant middle finger to every other property owner in the state.”
Except those that got Class 6B incentives. Which is what this is just with more 0s on the end.
- low level - Thursday, Feb 26, 26 @ 1:59 pm:
Earlier this week, Illinois House Republicans were blasting Gov Pritzker and Dems for losing the Bears to Indiana. Now that there is a solution, they are voting no.
What a complete joke the IL GOP has become. They have no solutions, just criticisms. No wonder the once feared and respected Illinois Republican party has become a clown show of fools.
- ChicagoBars - Thursday, Feb 26, 26 @ 2:03 pm:
Cabello did a nice job imho at end of the hearing for the House GOP. Hardly the first time the House GOP refused to put votes on a bill that they were not involved at all in negotiating.
- Jerry - Thursday, Feb 26, 26 @ 2:18 pm:
Taxpayer money aka Welfare for the Wealthy. The Bears can’t afford to build this TV studio…and that’s all football stadiums are. For 12 shows a year. The Bears pay for all of this themselves or let Indiana foot the bill.
- Joe Bidenopolous - Thursday, Feb 26, 26 @ 2:21 pm:
=GOP not bringing any votes is a joke.=
Considering Welch’s informal rule (60 D votes to get a floor vote), why do they need Republicans? Welch’s rule - mirrored by the House Republicans in Congress - is the real joke. Disincentivizes compromise and bipartisanship.
Signed,
A 3D Dem
- dpear - Thursday, Feb 26, 26 @ 2:21 pm:
“commit to a goal of awarding 20% of subcontracts to women- and minority-owned firms.”
Something tells me Indiana will be a lot easier to work with. IL blowing it in real time.
- Demoralized - Thursday, Feb 26, 26 @ 2:27 pm:
==What’s unserious about voting no for this?==
Chastising the Governor for allowing the Bears to leave the state and then turning around and voting against the bill. That’s what’s unserious about Republicans.
- Homebody - Thursday, Feb 26, 26 @ 2:43 pm:
Both state and national republicans are pretty much defined by refusing to ever be the adults in the room when they are in the minority.
- Just Another Anon - Thursday, Feb 26, 26 @ 3:25 pm:
FTFY: state and national politicians of both parties are pretty much defined by refusing to ever be the adults in the room when they are in the minority.
Lets not sugar coat it. The minority is a lonely and impotent place to be and since the advent of politicians becoming “internet famous”, they aren’t really know for their mature and well reasoned takes.
- Pick Me Up Before You Go - Thursday, Feb 26, 26 @ 3:45 pm:
Another interesting part in the bill not mentioned above is that if the preparation of the site required, or the company performed, environmental remediation under any applicable State or federal laws, could get another 5 years to have their values frozen so really up to 45 years depending. At a time when property taxes are uncertain for so many more this is just a smack in the face but regardless Bears put enough fear and administration aligned around this so we shall see if Chicago legislators can at minimum get “a pound of flesh” in return before they leave but jeeze during an election year decision to give tax support to billion dollar franchise or potentially letting them walk…the times we are in where this taking up much air when so many pressing issues at play
- Friendly Bob Adams - Thursday, Feb 26, 26 @ 5:47 pm:
Where do I get the “freeze my assessment” form??
- Pundent - Thursday, Feb 26, 26 @ 6:39 pm:
=Something tells me Indiana will be a lot easier to work with. IL blowing it in real time.=
The Bears aren’t fooling anyone. Although perhaps they’re fooling you. Their intention has, and will continue to be, to build a stadium on the land they own in Arlington Heights. Of all potential options it adds the most to their enterprise value. From the moment they acquired the land their intentions became clear. Personally I would have called their bluff but that’s just me.