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* Pritzker Press Secretary Alex Gough…
“Today, Chief of Staff Anne Caprara and Deputy Governor Andy Manar met with the Chicago Bears organization to discuss the team’s stadium proposal. The Governor’s Office appreciates the opportunity to discuss the Bears’ proposal and appreciates the organization for taking the time to discuss it.
As the Governor has said, the current proposal is a non-starter for the state. In order to subsidize a brand new stadium for a privately owned sports team, the Governor would need to see a demonstrable and tangible benefit to the taxpayers of Illinois. The Governor’s office remains open to conversations with the Bears, lawmakers, and other stakeholders with the understanding that responsible fiscal stewardship of tax-payer dollars remains the foremost priority.”
posted by Isabel Miller
Wednesday, May 1, 24 @ 5:23 pm
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The only taxpayers the Bears are committed to protecting are those named McCaskey.
Comment by JoanP Wednesday, May 1, 24 @ 5:27 pm
With Manar in the room, I have to ask:
Is Decatur back in the mix?
Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Wednesday, May 1, 24 @ 5:28 pm
Other than that, how was the play Mrs. Lincoln?
Comment by Friday Addams Wednesday, May 1, 24 @ 5:30 pm
If the Bears were serious about protecting the taxpayer, they would sell the team to Jeff Bezos and he would build a new stadium with all private money. But, we know the McCaskey’s don’t care about the taxpayers.
Comment by NotRich Wednesday, May 1, 24 @ 5:33 pm
-NotRich- spot on and let me add this deal was DOA the second Warren stepped on that stage with Brandon Johnson thinking he might be able to persuade Pritzker.
Comment by Long Time Independent Wednesday, May 1, 24 @ 5:50 pm
“the current proposal is a non-starter for the state”
And the people say, Amen.
– MrJM
Comment by @misterjayem Wednesday, May 1, 24 @ 6:00 pm
Bears just think non-starter is a term for someone on the bench.
Comment by Amalia Wednesday, May 1, 24 @ 6:07 pm
The Bears should go somewhere else to achieve their rent-seeking dreams.
Comment by Steve Wednesday, May 1, 24 @ 6:42 pm
The time money and effort the Bears spend on this really dumb idea could have been spent in the minimal tax ask by Arlington schools and they would be. building by September. But as as usual the clock will run out on them
Comment by DuPage Saint Wednesday, May 1, 24 @ 6:54 pm
Assuming the parties were receptive there could be a win win solution to be had. Sports franchises consistently increase in value as there is always someone out there willing to pay a higher price( particularly for teams in major markets). JB being the businessman he always claims to be could demand the State/City be afforded a negotiated percentage of the increase in the Bears market value. By way of example- the parties agree to the 2024 market valuation then at the time of a sale the Bears would have to pay the State 20 percent of any increase above the 2024 valuation. To avoid the situation where the team isn’t sold within a to be determined Tim’s frame- say 10 years- the Bears would have to pay the State the 20 percent of whatever the determined valuation is at the end of the 10 years. That way the State gets a portion of the increase in value a new Stadium creates for the team
Comment by Sue Wednesday, May 1, 24 @ 7:06 pm
Sounds like this is going nowhere. Bears contract lobbyists, you’re on easy street. Just continue to collect your money and dont do anything. This thing is so DOA that no matter how many meetings you have or calls you make, its not happening. Therefore, save your energy.
Comment by low level Wednesday, May 1, 24 @ 7:16 pm
“JB being the businessman he always claims to be”
would never enter into such an unnecessary and unnecessarily complicated deal.
– MrJM
Comment by @misterjayem Wednesday, May 1, 24 @ 7:18 pm
It is positively amazing how a professional football franchise in the City of Chicago cannot manage its business better than a small market team in Brown County, Wisconsin.
Comment by Gravitas Wednesday, May 1, 24 @ 7:59 pm
JB as good people. These are two of the best in the business. This had to be a fascinating meeting.
Comment by Overbay Wednesday, May 1, 24 @ 8:43 pm
=With Manar in the room, I have to ask:
Is Decatur back in the mix?=
Or since Manar is from Bunker Hill, what about trying to talk the Bears into moving to BH and passing themselves off as the “St. Louis Bears.”
Bunker Hill is about 41 miles from downtown St. Louis (at least 10 miles more, in comparison to the 30 or so miles from Boston to Foxborough for the Patriots).
Comment by NonAFSCMEStateEmployeeFromChatham Thursday, May 2, 24 @ 8:41 am