* Subscribers know more. Crain’s last week…
Hoping to keep the Chicago Bears in the city, Mayor Brandon Johnson has floated giving Chicago more control of the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority, a complicated plan likely to receive significant pushback in Springfield.
The discussion is part of the mayor’s broader effort to convince members of the General Assembly to stall or shoot down a megaprojects bill that would help the Bears move to Arlington Heights and creates new tiers of tax subsidies meant to spur development in Chicago.
The mayor’s plan would give the city the reins of the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority, or ISFA, to control how future money is allocated while potentially expanding the agency’s authority to finance other tourism-related infrastructure projects.
Johnson would not detail his conversations with state lawmakers or share specifics of his proposal, but told Crain’s the city should have “the ability to be able to control our destiny at a time in which more and more development is happening in Chicago.”
The governor appoints four members of the ISFA board, while the mayor appoints three.
* The Sun-Times…
“After years of shifting proposals, the Mayor’s Office still has not presented a concrete plan that could pass the General Assembly and with support from the Bears. Now, the Mayor is floating a new idea to directly spend hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars from IFSA…” Pritzker’s office said in a statement released to the Sun-Times. “The Governor has been clear for years that we must protect taxpayer dollars from being spent on a privately-owned stadium. Instead, the Governor has brought together legislators, local stakeholders, and the Bears to work towards a fair deal that keeps the team in Illinois, requires them to pay property taxes, and supports public infrastructure around major economic development projects.”
* Gov. Pritzker was asked about Mayor Johnson’s pitch for the City to takeover the stadium authority at an unrelated press conference this morning…
Reporter: I’d like to get a little more informations about the Mayor of Chicago. He has said repeatedly he has the only fleshed-out plan—
Pritzker: He has no plan, there’s no plan [laughs]
Reporter: He’s also floated this idea now to have the city take over the ISFA. Have you seen that? Have you said anything to him about it?
Pritzker: No. And in fact, this is kind of typical. The mayor has shown up every spring at the end of session to pronounce what he would like to see happen. And as you know, the budget gets put together starting in November. I present my budget. Well, really, we start at the beginning of a fiscal year, but about in November we’re in the details of the budget. I present that budget to the legislature in February, so that seems like a good time period to come talk to the governor’s office. Then there’s February to May, there’s all that time to come talk to the legislature, which has my budget in hand or the governor’s office again, we’ve seen almost nothing out of the mayoral administration here on that subject, or really any other. And so to show up in May and have a bunch of demands seems like late in the game, and it’s unfortunate that’s happened most years.
Thoughts?
* More…
* Politico | What’s old is new again: Mayor Brandon Johnson is working to keep the Chicago Bears in the city. His proposal would allow the city to have greater control of the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority, the independent government agency that currently finances stadiums. The mayor sees the agency as growing to also fund, with hotel tax dollars, future tourism-related projects. […] “That’s a new proposal I’m just hearing about,” said House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch in a separate interview. “Everything is on the table.”
- Steve - Monday, May 18, 26 @ 10:01 am:
If Mayor Johnson got along better with other Democrats in Springfield more could be achieved instead of blaming others.
- Original Rambler - Monday, May 18, 26 @ 10:06 am:
JB a little rough with the mayor, but he’s not wrong.
- Demoralized - Monday, May 18, 26 @ 10:08 am:
==mayor has shown up every spring at the end of session to pronounce what he would like to see happen==
Interesting choice of words - “pronounce.” That sums it up very well. The Mayor, for whatever reason, thinks he can stroll into town and tell everyone what to do and then they roll over and do it. As I’ve said before, he doesn’t seem to understand that the methods the CTU uses don’t work in Springfield. Nobody is afraid of him. He does the Chicago an immense disservice when he is so incapable of competently lobbying for the needs of Chicago.
- New Day - Monday, May 18, 26 @ 10:20 am:
Brandon is not good at this. He doesn’t understand or seem to care about the process or how to push these levers. Frankly, this seems far more about throwing chum in the waters to give Chicago legislators a reason to vote against the bill than about a serious proposal. As usual, it’s just not well thought out. At all.
- Just Me 2 - Monday, May 18, 26 @ 10:20 am:
Mayor Johnson keeps reminding me of Blagojevich’s strategy, which was to say/do whatever he needed in order to blame others for his failures. If he put half as much effort into actual governing as he did blaming he’d be more successful.
But we shouldn’t be surprised that a CTU-lobbyist turned Mayor focuses on making enemies instead of building coalitions.
- Trinity - Monday, May 18, 26 @ 10:20 am:
=”JB is little rough”
This is his THIRD year of doing this. Glad you said the govenor is not wrong, he definitely is not. Pointing out someone’s wrongdoing isn’t criticism. It’s accountability. The biggest losers here are not the governor, not even the mayor. But the people of the city of Chicago. Time to start vetting new candidates for Mayor.
- JS Mill - Monday, May 18, 26 @ 10:49 am:
=JB a little rough with the mayor, but he’s not wrong.=
That is kind, not rough. The mayor is a grown up that acts like a petulant child.
- Rahm's Parking Meter - Monday, May 18, 26 @ 10:57 am:
What was put in another newsletter Friday afternoon on how he is trying to harm PILOT with Kevin Warren also knowing about it is troubling.
Just does not know how to govern at all. Doesn’t care to learn.
- ChicagoBars - Monday, May 18, 26 @ 10:58 am:
Nothing at all against ISFA’s current fine staff but the agency is a relic of a different era of taxpayer stadium funding. ISFA should be quietly allowed to expire once the current ISFA backed bonds are paid off in 2033-2034, not reorganized.
And then let the jockeying for ISFA’s $73M a year (and growing) hotel tax revenue begin…
- Annon'in - Monday, May 18, 26 @ 11:09 am:
This could be fun heading down the stretch. The Mayor’s utterances could be a thing if he controlled any votes in the GA. But that does not appear to be the case.
That leaves the polluted Hammond site and Arlington Heights. Stay tuned.
- Jerry - Monday, May 18, 26 @ 11:34 am:
Didnt the team get a Free Stadium 20 years ago, built to THEIR specifications, courtesy of taxpayers? I’ve never seen a corporation so poorly run that it constantly has to mooch as much as this one does!
- Friendly Bob Adams - Monday, May 18, 26 @ 11:40 am:
When SNL started they referred to the cast as the “not ready for prime time players”…. I think of that often when I hear the name Brandon Johnson
- ZC - Monday, May 18, 26 @ 11:46 am:
>> Mayor Johnson keeps reminding me of Blagojevich’s strategy, which was to say/do whatever he needed in order to blame others for his failures.
Well put.
- levivoted4judy - Monday, May 18, 26 @ 11:50 am:
You don’t try to do this so late in session and you don’t give a Sox fan a Cubs hat. He isn’t ready for prime time.
- Candy Dogood - Monday, May 18, 26 @ 11:55 am:
===Thoughts?===
Chicago is a very important city and the economic engine of our state. Mayor Johnson has been in office for a few years now. At this point I think the relationship between the Mayor and the Governor is indicative of the Governor as much as it is of the Mayor.
If the Mayor is bad at this, why hasn’t the Governor’s office helped make this process better? The Governor’s public feedback given to Mayor Johnson now — was this given privately a couple of years ago?
- Demoralized - Monday, May 18, 26 @ 11:58 am:
== that it constantly has to mooch ==
The majority of professional sports teams at one point or another have tried (and been successful) at getting states and municipalities to pony up for new stadiums.
- Lee Elia - Monday, May 18, 26 @ 12:13 pm:
Stop with the nonsense about the Bears getting a free stadium.
The Bears and the NFL both kicked in $100 million and the Bears have paid rent every year.
They are obligated to continue to do so through the end of their lease in 2033.
- The Farm Grad - Monday, May 18, 26 @ 12:20 pm:
“If the Mayor is bad at this, why hasn’t the Governor’s office helped make this process better? The Governor’s public feedback given to Mayor Johnson now — was this given privately a couple of years ago? ”
Emphatically agree. Instead, the Governor slaps the city with an 11B unfunded mandate (first responder pensions), then denies the Mayor tools to finance that mandate via progressive taxation
- Demoralized - Monday, May 18, 26 @ 12:28 pm:
==If the Mayor is bad at this, why hasn’t the Governor’s office helped make this process better? ==
So you’re turning this around on the Governor? lol. I guess that’s one argument to make to defend the Mayor.
- Amalia - Monday, May 18, 26 @ 12:37 pm:
the Mayor has not provided an adult response to the stadium crisis. there’s nothing concrete, just moves to block. it’s not helpful, neither to the debate at hand, nor to his standing with Springfield.
- Pundent - Monday, May 18, 26 @ 12:49 pm:
=If the Mayor is bad at this, why hasn’t the Governor’s office helped make this process better?=
I can think of several instances where the Governor and others have done just that. The migrant housing situation stands out but there have been other instances. The problem is that Brandon Johnson has shown no interest in learning from his past mistakes.
- Jerry - Monday, May 18, 26 @ 12:50 pm:
@Lee: Ok, so the Bears got Government Socialist Rent Support (or Section
for their efforts. Is that better?
- Overbay - Monday, May 18, 26 @ 1:11 pm:
Wait…. the Mayor has a plan for the Bears? They keep using the word “plan”. Where is it?
- Demoralized - Monday, May 18, 26 @ 1:13 pm:
I’m not sure I’ve ever heard the term “socialist” used in the context of sports stadiums. But, hey, I guess we’re just throwing out that term for everything now.
- Lee Elia - Monday, May 18, 26 @ 1:18 pm:
The San Francisco 49ers pay $24.5 million in rent followed by the Minnesota Vikings at $8.5 million and then the Chicago Bears at $7 million. 29 NFL teams pay less than the Bears.
So much for the gaslighting the Bears current Soldier Field lease is a sweetheart deal.
The LA Rams and Chargers pay only $1 dollar a year base rent because they paid upfront construction and operational expenses.
- Taco Man - Monday, May 18, 26 @ 1:25 pm:
Experience matters. In his 3rd year in office, Mr. Johnson can not effectively lead, let alone get legislation passed in the GA. This is quite disturbing for Chicago residents. I hope Mr. Johnson is not contemplating running for re-election. He’s no Rahm that’s for sure!
- Rich Miller - Monday, May 18, 26 @ 1:26 pm:
===He’s no Rahm that’s for sure! ===
Spare me
- lost on 1 - Monday, May 18, 26 @ 1:31 pm:
I agree that the Governor should do more to run the City of Chicago. Like where was JBduring the 2025 budget impasse when the Mayor showed he had no way to pass a budget and was risking a shutdown? Too busy running the State to step in to be the Mayor I guess…
/s
- Larry Bowa Jr. - Monday, May 18, 26 @ 1:40 pm:
‘I’m not sure I’ve ever heard the term “socialist” used in the context of sports stadiums’
In this context, socialist describes the means of funding, in that the general public is paying for something that it will never own.
The profits will of course be realized by private interests.
For anyone who just got here, this is how the entire country works now.
- NIU Grad - Monday, May 18, 26 @ 1:46 pm:
Chicago has gone three years without any true leadership at the helm and has been guided completely by external forces.
May 2027 can’t come quickly enough.
- Taco Man - Monday, May 18, 26 @ 1:49 pm:
Yes, in agreement, NIU Grad.
- Casper The Ghost Bus - Monday, May 18, 26 @ 1:50 pm:
“stadium crisis”
hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
- Jerry - Monday, May 18, 26 @ 1:55 pm:
Like I said Lee. Government Section 8 Rent Support for Corporations. Its time to get rid of that Entitlement Program. The Chicago football “club” can afford to pay things themselves. Moochers.
- Lee Elia - Monday, May 18, 26 @ 1:58 pm:
The flaw in your logic is that the Chicago Park District owns Soldier Field Larry.
It’s not just for the Bears, Bruno Mars packed the place over the weekend
- Lee Elia - Monday, May 18, 26 @ 2:02 pm:
Don’t let the facts get in the way of your flawed argument Jerry.
Bears aren’t moochers, only two teams pay more rent and the Bears play in the smallest stadium in the NFL.
You sound like a Packer fan
- Candy Dogood - Monday, May 18, 26 @ 2:04 pm:
===So you’re turning this around on the Governor? lol. I guess that’s one argument to make to defend the Mayor. ===
This isn’t a defense of Brandon Johnson by any means, but the Governor is here publicly suggesting that the time to approach him about FY 27’s budget was in November, 7 months before it starts, but actually, maybe also approach his office 11 months before it starts. I’m not an insider to this process, but are they inviting the Mayor to the meetings when these things are being discussed between June and November?
Regardless of how one feels about it, the Governor is making every indication possible that he wants to be at the very least considered a possible next President of the United States and here he is demonstrating that he can’t effectively manage a relationship with the Mayor of Chicago?
Regardless of whose fault it is that relationship isn’t getting any better when the Governor mocks him to the press.
===and it’s unfortunate that’s happened most years. ===
It seems like the Governor is okay with this happening most years.
- Ducky - Monday, May 18, 26 @ 2:21 pm:
Candy, the Mayor is a big boy. He’s been through this process twice before and received the same feedback. He works closely with a supposedly sophisticated political organization on these matters. The fact pattern here is damning. This is not about the Governor. This is about the Mayor and his ability to deliver legislatively for the people of Chicago. He’s shooting and 0-fer so far.
- Three Dimensional Checkers - Monday, May 18, 26 @ 2:33 pm:
Sox Machine published a very strong and well-sourced article highlighting that while the Mayor tilts at windmills for the Bears, he neglects the more pressing issue of the future of Sox Park in Bridgeport.
https://soxmachine.com/2026/05/justin-ishbias-path-in-building-a-new-white-sox-ballpark
- Candy Dogood - Monday, May 18, 26 @ 2:33 pm:
===Candy, the Mayor is a big boy.===
So is the Governor.
I don’t think it is unreasonable to expect a couple of big boys to get together and figure out why things ain’t clicking the way they should be.
- The Farm Grad - Monday, May 18, 26 @ 2:49 pm:
“May 2027 can’t come quickly enough.”
One year ago, in a UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies poll: Bass would need a “miracle” to win reelection. Today, with a 27% approval rating, Bass is the odds-on favorite to win
- Candy Dogood - Monday, May 18, 26 @ 2:59 pm:
===Bass would need a “miracle” to win reelection.===
Folks forget that the choice was between Paul Vallas and Brandon Johnson. How many folks that voted for Brandon Johnson wish they had voted for Vallas?
===May 2027 can’t come quickly enough. ===
You think JB is going to wait until May of 2027 to announce his campaign for the Democratic Party’s nomination for President of the United States? I was thinking March. May is a little on the late side and by then other serious candidates will have been in the race for 6 months.
- Demoralized - Monday, May 18, 26 @ 3:02 pm:
==I don’t think it is unreasonable==
You continue to try and turn this around on the Governor. Stop being an apologist for the Mayor. It’s not the Governor’s job to do his job for him.
- Demoralized - Monday, May 18, 26 @ 3:06 pm:
==here he is demonstrating that he can’t effectively manage a relationship==
Don’t be ridiculous. You want the Governor to hold his hand? The Governor has plenty to do other than being a babysitter to the Mayor of Chicago. The Mayor has a job to do here. He’s not doing it. It’s not up to the Governor to do it for him.
- Sue - Monday, May 18, 26 @ 3:19 pm:
The Bears have officially eliminated Chicago telling the NFL tgey are moving to either Arlington Heights or Hammond which everyone other then Mayor Johnson knew was the outcome months ago
- Just a guy - Monday, May 18, 26 @ 4:50 pm:
The Governor will never tell the mayor how to do his job since somebody - Stacy Davis Gates - already has that role taken care of.
- Paul Powell - Monday, May 18, 26 @ 5:33 pm:
You can’t call the Mayor of Chicago “boy” Ducky
Of course it’s up to the Governor to do his part to have a good working relationship with the Mayor- even if he is incompetent.
Chicago is the economic engine of the region and those that live and work here are dependent on that, especially when the Mayor is incapable of doing his job.
- Candy Dogood - Monday, May 18, 26 @ 10:15 pm:
=== Stop being an apologist ===
I like to think I’d do a better job of being an apologist. I don’t think we disagree on the idea the Mayor needs his hand held.