…Adding… Crain’s…
In what he hopes will be a “wake-up call” to state leadership about the team’s exploration of potential stadium sites in northwest Indiana, Arlington Heights Mayor Jim Tinaglia today issued an open letter imploring Illinois legislators to approve a so-called megaproject bill that would bring long-term predictability to property taxes on large developments.
The measure, which would allow the Bears to negotiate future property tax payments for a stadium with local taxing bodies, is one of the team’s chief demands before it would forge ahead with a new venue and entertainment district at the 326-acre former Arlington International Racecourse property. It’s also an entirely reasonable ask, Tinaglia said, from a franchise proposing the largest private development in the state’s history.
“The team has been clear that at this point their choices are either the Arlington Heights site, or Indiana,” Tinaglia wrote in the letter. “We must stand together as Illinoisans to prevent our state from being out of the NFL business altogether, and support the Mega Projects Bill.” […]
“People need to realize that this (Indiana pursuit) is real,” Tinaglia said, lamenting what he deems widespread misinformation and misunderstanding about what the Bears want from Springfield.
…Adding… The governor was asked about the half a billion dollars or so still owed on the Soldier Field stadium remodel and if it was the Bears’ debt to pay off…
You know, the Bears don’t owe that. That is a decision that government leaders made years ago to borrow that money to create the Bears stadium. I mean, the Bears, of course, as a result of them playing at Soldier Field and paying rent, essentially at Soldier Field, are helping to pay the bills on that but I just want to be clear that the actual fiscal responsibility, the financial responsibility for that debt, does not fall on the Bears.
Having said that, we do not want them to leave the city of Chicago or the state of Illinois with enormous debt that goes unpaid. And so we have to figure out how that happens that does not fall entirely on the Bears. So just wanted to disabuse people of that notion in terms of the dynamics.
You know, we’ve been really clear about what we’ve been willing to do as a state, and there have been lots of discussions over time and recently with the Bears to make sure that they know what those options are. And I believe it’s best for the Bears to stay in the state of Illinois. I’ve always said that. I do not think the fans want the Chicago Bears to be based anywhere else except in the state of Illinois.
And frankly, at this moment, I think we all ought to be thinking about crushing the Rams and not talking about a stadium.
* The Sun-Times…
The Bears hailed Indiana politicians taking the first step to create the Northwest Indiana Stadium Authority as a “significant milestone” in the team’s discussions to build a home stadium across state lines rather than the 326 acres the team owns in Arlington Heights.
The Indiana Legislature’s Senate Bill 27, amended Thursday, would authorize the Northwest Indiana Stadium Authority to acquire land, finance improvements and enter into leases with a private business such as the Bears.
“The legislation presented by the State of Indiana is a significant milestone in our discussions around a potential stadium development in Chicagoland’s Northwest Indiana region,” a Bears spokesperson said in a statement. “We appreciate the leadership and responsiveness of Governor [Mike] Braun and Indiana lawmakers in advancing a framework that allows these conversations to move forward productively.”
More from Crain’s…
Language in the proposed legislation would create the stadium authority as a stand-in for the state; the authority would function as the owner of a new stadium.
The authority’s three-member board would be made up of the director of the Indiana Office of Management and Budget, a budget office designee and the director of the Public Finance Authority.
SB 27 doesn’t mention the Bears by name, but it specifically allows the new stadium authority to enter into agreements with an NFL franchise. Under the current language, that NFL team would have to commit to a 35-year lease. […]
The bill stipulates the authority would own the stadium, but the team would pay for repairs and operational costs. During the lease term, the NFL team would have the option to buy the stadium for the cost of the outstanding debt — or for $1 once the project is fully paid off.
* Rep Hoan Huynh filed HB4467 this morning…
Creates the ICE and CBP Tracker Act. Requires the Attorney General to create and maintain a statewide incident reporting system related to unlawful activity in Illinois by personnel employed by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and U.S. Border Protection. Makes legislative findings. Authorizes the Attorney General to adopt rules to implement the Act.
* Sen. Rachel Ventura…
State Senator Rachel Ventura introduced a new measure to establish the Illinois Psilocybin Advisory Board to investigate and advise on best practices for psilocybin treatments to help tackle treatment-resistant conditions, like PTSD. […]
For the past several years, Ventura has championed Senate Bill 2184, also known as the CURE Act, which would establish a framework for the legal manufacture, delivery, use, and possession of entheogens, namely psilocybin, and make conforming changes to the State’s criminal laws. The measure would require a referral from a health care professional in order to begin the therapy. Prior to first exposure of psilocybin, an individual would undergo a prep session to gauge their conditions and previous treatments and methods they have tried. Post session integration meeting would ensure the individual has the resources and tools they need to work through the psilocybin experience.
The measure led by Ventura this year – Senate Bill 2772 – would implement a part of the CURE Act, establishing the Illinois Psilocybin Advisory Board under the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, which would create a training program, ethical standards and licensing requirements. During a two-year program development period, the board would issue recommendations for health and safety regulations to agencies tasked with regulating psilocybin production and use under the CURE Act. Ventura remains committed to passing the CURE Act in its entirety at a later date. […]
Senate Bill 2772 currently awaits committee assignment.
* Press release…
Members of the Illinois Senate Republican Caucus joined together to outline a series of legislative proposals aimed at addressing the state’s growing energy affordability crisis and reversing policies that have driven electric bills higher for families and businesses.
Senate Republicans warned that the Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act (CRGA) weakens consumer protections, removes long-standing rate caps, shifts billions of dollars in new costs onto ratepayers, and reduces local control. Meanwhile, the bill does nothing to deliver lower prices or improved grid reliability.
“Illinois families are already struggling with record-high electric bills, and CRGA makes the problem worse,” said Terri Bryant (R-Murphysboro), Republican Minority Spokesperson for the Senate Energy and Public Utilities Committee. “It removes rate caps, weakens consumer protections, and shifts massive new costs onto ratepayers without offering real relief.”
In response, Senate Republicans are filing several energy proposals focused on affordability, reliability, and accountability. The measures include restoring consumer rate caps, expanding reliable energy generation, streamlining permitting for new power projects, and repealing policies that reduce supply and drive up costs.
“Nuclear energy provides around-the-clock reliability and price stability,” said Senate Deputy Republican Leader Sue Rezin (R-Morris). “Instead of prioritizing proven solutions, CRGA shifts costly and risky policies onto ratepayers. Senate Republicans are advancing legislation to speed up permitting for new generation, including nuclear, so Illinois can compete and keep costs down.”
Senator Rezin has filed legislation to modernize and streamline the permitting process for new power generation projects by requiring agencies and local governments to act within clear timelines, with permits automatically approved if deadlines are missed.
Senator Jil Tracy (R-Quincy) highlighted Senate Bill 1234 and Senate Bill 1235, two additional measures previously filed aimed at improving and increasing reliability and transparency. […]
Meanwhile, Senate Bill 1235 would repeal the 2030 and 2045 forced shutdown dates for coal and natural gas plants and allow for the construction of new natural gas peaker plants to ensure reliability during extreme weather. […]
“Pritzker’s new law removed the rate caps that protect families from unlimited utility increases,” said Senator Rose (R-Mahomet). “I’m filing legislation to put those rate caps back where they belong, repeal the costly battery storage program, and restore local control so communities have a real voice.”
Senate Republicans said their legislative agenda is designed to lower costs, strengthen grid reliability, and restore accountability in Illinois’ energy policy.
* HB4457 from Rep. Amy Briel…
Creates the Gender Pricing Equity Act. Provides that a person, firm, partnership, company, corporation, or business shall not charge a different price for any goods that are substantially similar if those goods are priced differently based on the gender of the individuals for whom the goods are marketed and intended. Provides that a violation of any of the provisions of the Act is an unlawful practice under the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. Amends the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act to make a conforming change.
* Sen. Lakesia Collins introduced SB2832 earlier this week…
From the bill…
Developmental etiquette education under this Section shall be offered in the following grades:
(1) Prekindergarten and kindergarten.
Instruction in these grades shall include sharing basic manners and greeting others.
(2) Grades one through 3.
Instruction in these grades shall include listening, apologizing, taking turns, and cooperation.
(3) Grade 6.
Instruction in this grade shall include 9 peer communication, empathy, and personal responsibility.
(4) Grade 8.
Instruction in this grade shall include cyber etiquette, resolving disputes, and bystander skills.
(5) Grade 9.
Instruction in this grade shall include first impressions, posture, and polite conversation.
(6) Grade 12.
Instruction in this grade shall include interviewing, networking, and workplace etiquette and a capstone project to showcase the etiquette skills acquired.
