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* NBC 5…
State budget money earmarked for a high school sports facility in House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch’s district is drawing GOP ire.
The $40 million in funding will go toward a facility that will be constructed at Proviso West High School in suburban Hillside. Welch is an alum of the school [chaired the school board], and defended the inclusion of the funding in the $55 billion budget passed by lawmakers over the weekend. […]
“$40 million because he is the speaker and is playing favoritism, picking winners and losers,” [House Republican Leader Tony McCombie] said. “I would probably bet the farm that there is not another school in the entire state that’s getting $40 million.” […]
Welch said that the project isn’t just for the school’s use, but will be available to the entire community for a variety of sports.
“It’s a complex for youth baseball, youth softball, soccer, tennis, volleyball, and track,” he said.
* Brian Mackey also asked Speaker Welch about the $40 million…
My local school district that I graduated from, that I served on the school board, came to me with a project that could be transformative, not just for Proviso Township, but for the entire region. And I was proud to support it, and I do believe it’s going to be transformative for the entire region.
Proviso sits on the west end of Cook County. It’s going to help Cook County, it’s going to help DuPage, it’s going to be a real big boom for this entire region. And I’m really proud of that.
But I can also tell you what I’m proud of. I’m proud of the fact that this budget funds infrastructure and local economic development projects and communities statewide in red districts and blue districts. This budget, since I’ve been speaker, has funded projects in Kane and McHenry, a $30 million bridge in Kane and McHenry County, $33 million for a sports complex in Tinley Park, billions of dollars for projects on the South idse of Chicago, millions of dollars for Fermilab and Batavia and you know, universities across the state.
The point I’m making is the budget invests in projects all across the state. And the last time I saw the governor on ribbon cuttings was in Republican districts. He was in Jacksonville, Illinois recently. He was in Marion, Illinois recently, and those are Republican districts. And you know, we’re proud to support projects all over the state, and I’m certainly proud to support something that’s going to be big for my area as well.
There’s an old saying about how the big dogs eat first.
Also, for your discussion, keep in mind that these are capital dollars, not operations.
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Jun 5, 25 @ 9:09 am
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while I appreciate lists of projects of money spent where I like mapping of projects. I look forward to a map for this year.
Comment by Amalia Thursday, Jun 5, 25 @ 9:22 am
It is a bad move, and every Democrat that voted for the budget, and had to tell constituencies “money is tight this year” knows it. Not that they are gonna tell Welch, for fear of ending up like Crespo.
The new sports complex may indeed be a boon to the area. $40M would be a boon economically anywhere.
But we have school districts in Illinois with lead in their drinking fountains that needs to be replaced.
My main question is whether the district is putting up half the money as well — which is typical for school construction — or whether Illinois taxpayers are footing the whole enchilada.
And Rich’s point is well taken, but the public does not distinguish between capital and operations spending.
Comment by Leslie A. Shumway Thursday, Jun 5, 25 @ 9:30 am
Just wait to see who gets the operating contract. I’m sure that it will be someone connected.
Comment by Chicagonk Thursday, Jun 5, 25 @ 9:32 am
Anybody taking bets on how soon they’ll announce they’re naming this facility after Welch? Just like he gave state money to Maywood Park District and they named a park after him.
That area has some shady practices with naming things after living legislators right after they give them state money.
Comment by Porcine Thursday, Jun 5, 25 @ 9:45 am
I have no problem with the big dog eating first. It is what it is. But let’s just say putting $40 mil in one capital line lacks political artistry. It’s begging for scrutiny. Might be more subtle ways to help out the district.
Comment by Frances Thursday, Jun 5, 25 @ 9:53 am
Are there actual plans in the works for this allegged sports complex in Proviso? Usually there’s some planning and design up front with renderings providing multiple options before funding is appropriated for a massive capital project.
Comment by City Zen Thursday, Jun 5, 25 @ 10:01 am
==shady practices with naming things…right after they give them state money.==
Shady? Sounds like transparency to me./s (kind of)
Comment by yinn Thursday, Jun 5, 25 @ 10:03 am
Why is it that my district had to bond 200 mil for our school projects, yet others get theirs paid by the state?
Comment by Jibba Thursday, Jun 5, 25 @ 10:11 am
Welch has been Speaker for a few years now, and according to published reports he has supported major projects in other communities. Why can’t the Speaker support a project in his own district? If it’s good for Kane County and Tinley Park, it’s good for Proviso. You can’t be mad at the guy. If I was his constituent, I would be mad if he didn’t do the same thing for his community.
Comment by I'm not mad at him Thursday, Jun 5, 25 @ 10:15 am
This was a brilliant political move by the Speaker. With so many moving political pieces in the suburban area, Welch has lots of options. He could easily stay in the House, but I see much bigger things for the Speaker. He could run for Governor or Congress or some other position and clearly demonstrate what he has done for his own community. Seems like he’s playing chess while others want him to play checkers.
Comment by Suburban Democratic Operative Thursday, Jun 5, 25 @ 10:20 am
I agree with the old saying Rich. Big dogs do eat first, but it’s pretty clear Welch has taken care of other members and their districts before his own. Has he been catching flack at home about that? You can’t ask a Leader to support everyone else, but ignore his own community. All those communities listed above are white communities. I commend the Speaker for supporting his black and brown community too.
Comment by Big Dogs Should Eat First Thursday, Jun 5, 25 @ 10:27 am
This is a non story. The fact that this is all McCombie and Republicans can talk about in a $55 BILLION dollar budget is actually kind of comical to me. But I must admit, they are doing a good job getting the media to talk about a non story rather than Trump and the Republicans about to kick their constituents off of healthcare.
Comment by Non Story Thursday, Jun 5, 25 @ 10:33 am
This Proviso deal really highlights one of the false narratives of school funding. Schools in low income communities were not the ones struggling financially. Before the EBF or after. The current Proviso Education Fund budget is estimating an $11 million annual surplus. That is a surplus of over 10%. They don’t need state money for this project. They have a nice reserve in their O&M fund and plenty of bonding capacity. They can afford this themselves. Their Capital Project fund estimates a large deficit, but that is almost certainly due to taking revenue in one fiscal year (from bonds) and paying in a different year.
Too bad more people like Welch don’t look at their financial reports. That $40 million for infrastructure could have gotten the lead out of a lot of small poorer districts pipes.
This is just good old fashioned pork paid for by the rest of us for a district that already gets $25.6 million in state revenue.
Comment by JS Mill Thursday, Jun 5, 25 @ 10:51 am
Whoopie ! A sports complex ! Has that ever been not done anywhere else in the state. How about putting that $40 million towards municipal pension debt, schools without lead in the water, sidewalks and roads, etc….or maybe not just spend it at all. We are heading into a recession, resource material costs at at all time highs, birth rate is declining, and this boondoggle is being put forth.
Comment by Stormsw7706 Thursday, Jun 5, 25 @ 10:52 am
Forgive me for not being upset by this. This is just how it works and no amount of hand wringing or bellyaching is going to change things. You can all wish things were a different way but what is that old sayin? You can wish in one hand . . . Representatives and Senators get money for their districts all the time. Doesn’t bother me in the slightest.
Comment by Demoralized Thursday, Jun 5, 25 @ 11:19 am
===but the public does not ===
That doesn’t mean the people here get a pass.
Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Jun 5, 25 @ 11:24 am
JS Mill, very interesting point. It’s also a frustrating point that goes with the territory. People go to pol looking for favors, pol only does cursory thinking about request (mostly will it benefit me or will it be more trouble than it’s worth).
Comment by Norseman Thursday, Jun 5, 25 @ 11:25 am
It’s a bad look… and it’s a lot of money. Being able to push it through doesn’t make it right, nor was it necessarily wise.
Comment by Lincoln Lad Thursday, Jun 5, 25 @ 11:29 am
==a district that already gets $25.6 million in state revenue==
There’s another line item in the state budget for Proviso District 209 for $10 million in HVAC repairs. Seems more pressing than a new facility.
Comment by City Zen Thursday, Jun 5, 25 @ 11:30 am
Someone is playing a little fast-and-loose with the facts on Tinley Park, so I hope someone is fact-checking the rest.
The Tinley Park Park District is building a $33 million sports complex. The state is not paying for it though.
It is being built on the site of the former Tinley Park Mental Health Center, an eyesore that is owned by the state and has been a vacant albatross since 2012.
The state transferred the property to the park district for $1 and is providing a $15 million grant for environmental clean up. I think it was Hastings and the Senate Democrats that secured the funding, but I might be wrong.
https://abc7chicago.com/tinley-park-il-mental-health-center-district-michael-hastings/14471036/
Comment by Leslie M. Shumway Thursday, Jun 5, 25 @ 11:48 am
Wow, explain and JUSTIFY to the dozens of schools on the School Construction list from 2005 why this particular district should jump the line. Those were “capitol” programs too. This is outrageous in every way, sickening and indefensible. Tell it like it is- abuse of power at the expense of others, period.
Comment by Dragnet Thursday, Jun 5, 25 @ 12:08 pm
I am sure the money could be better spent elsewhere, that is always the problem but really I see nothing wrong with this. It is politics you are supposed to help your district. I would be hypocritical to think this is bad since my big complaint against Senator Durbin is he didn’t bring enough back to Illinois
Comment by DuPage Saint Thursday, Jun 5, 25 @ 12:17 pm
It may be politics as usual, but that is the real problem. It is politics as usual. No wonder budgets keep getting bigger and bigger, and taxes keep growing and growing.
Comment by Just a Citizen Thursday, Jun 5, 25 @ 12:53 pm
=Whoopie ! A sports complex ! Has that ever been not done anywhere else in the state.=
Springfield is getting one next to Scheels. In part of the Legacy Pointe complex that was supposed to get an outlet mall 15 years ago but that fell through.
Comment by Leatherneck Thursday, Jun 5, 25 @ 1:34 pm
I’m not surprised by the largesse Weich is giving his district.
Something’s rotten in Proviso and it ain’t cheese.
.
Follow the money:
Comment by Loop Lady Thursday, Jun 5, 25 @ 2:55 pm
=== Follow the money===
The money is pretty clear.
Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Jun 5, 25 @ 3:02 pm