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Pritzker says state not looking at Bears stadium funding

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Illinois

* Daily Herald…

In his first public comments about the possibility of the Chicago Bears’ moving to Arlington Park, Gov. J.B. Pritzker said Monday the future of the racetrack is a private business matter and state funding for a potential suburban stadium isn’t being considered.

“That’s not something we’re looking at right now,” Pritzker said when asked about whether his administration would commit taxpayer money to help build a stadium in Arlington Heights, which could easily cost more than a billion dollars.

“I think obviously there are private business decisions that are being made,” he continued, referring to the NFL franchise’s bid for the 326 acres Churchill Downs Inc. put up for sale in the Northwest suburb. “I’ve enjoyed many years of seeing the Bears at Soldier Field, and so you know, the determination about what will happen to that property is a matter of private concern by the sellers. But for me anyway, I have spent my adult life going to Soldier Field to watch the Bears and have enjoyed that, and I hope that I’ll be able to continue to do that.”

“But again, these are private decisions by private companies, and I think that the mayor (Lori Lightfoot) will have much more direct input in that than I will,” Pritzker said.

Thoughts?

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Jun 29, 21 @ 3:19 am

Comments

The Daily Herald keeps pushing the bears to Arlington thing. The state is still kind of broke, so they really shouldn’t be giving the bears a billion plus to build a new stadium anywhere. If the bears want to pay for a new stadium themselves (sarcasm), I will support whatever decision they make in regards to location.

Comment by benniefly2 Tuesday, Jun 29, 21 @ 6:06 am
Agree with the governor 100%.

Comment by Proud Papa Bear Tuesday, Jun 29, 21 @ 6:20 am
Wish that he left out the words “right now”. Leaves the door open for considering taxpayer money “later”

Comment by Sox Fan Tuesday, Jun 29, 21 @ 6:30 am
=== “But again, these are private decisions by private companies, and I think that the mayor (Lori Lightfoot) will have much more direct input in that than I will,” Pritzker said.===

Shorter?

“We ain’t payin’ for it.”

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jun 29, 21 @ 6:46 am
A number of state and local governments have finally caught on to the con.

Billionaires bilking millions/billions from communities to fund their ego projects, promising revenue and jobs that rarely meet their mark.

Then, twenty years later, this facility is out of date. Build us a new one or we move.

See ya.

Comment by Flyin' Elvis'-Utah Chapter Tuesday, Jun 29, 21 @ 7:19 am
===“We ain’t payin’ for it.”===
Oh, but we will. We’re just not talking about it publicly now.

Comment by Bruce( no not him) Tuesday, Jun 29, 21 @ 7:22 am
=== Oh, but we will. We’re just not talking about it publicly now.===

What do you base this on exactly?

Los Angeles, all privately funded, Oakland, refused to hand public monies, Las Vegas engineered an hotel occupancy tax (that means out of towners) to add it to its funding.

The likelihood of Illinois going against what is the trend with NFL franchises is low to non-existent.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jun 29, 21 @ 7:30 am
=Oh, but we will. We’re just not talking about it publicly now.=

Sir, Mr. Rickett’s is calling for you again, should I tell him you’re busy?

Comment by Pundent Tuesday, Jun 29, 21 @ 7:41 am
===What do you base this on exactly?===
cynicism

Comment by Bruce( no not him) Tuesday, Jun 29, 21 @ 7:41 am
=== cynicism===

That’s fair, lol

:)

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jun 29, 21 @ 7:43 am
Bears pay or Bears leave. that simple.

Comment by blue line Tuesday, Jun 29, 21 @ 7:49 am
==Bears pay or Bears leave. that simple.==

This may be far fetched, but if the Arlington Park and Soldier Field things don’t work out, maybe Sheriff Buffett could put up the funds to bring the Bears home to Decatur.

Comment by EssentialStateEmployeeFromChatham Tuesday, Jun 29, 21 @ 7:51 am
Giving assistance to the Bears would play well in the Eastern Block. /snark

Comment by OneMan Tuesday, Jun 29, 21 @ 7:53 am
I’m not in the “The State is broke..” camp, but I am solidly in the “The State shouldn’t put one red cent toward a stadium” camp.

Comment by Skeptic Tuesday, Jun 29, 21 @ 7:53 am
St. Louis Bears?

Comment by Blue Dog Tuesday, Jun 29, 21 @ 7:57 am
The state is not broke. $200 billion in unfunded pension. Down to a paltry $4 billion in unpaid bills. Nope. Flush with cash. Maybe we can raise the gas tax a wee bit and dedicate that revenue. Or better yet, raise those plates back up.

Comment by Blue Dog Tuesday, Jun 29, 21 @ 8:00 am
=== St. Louis Bears?===

While Los Angeles lost the Rams, pro football competing in Los Angeles with USC football (at that time) made the move to the smaller market St. Louis a nice deal, with a new building too…

The Bears own Chicago. The dome in St. Louis is comparatively poor by NFL standards, and the 3rd largest media market (Chicago) is not something the McCaskeys want to leave. Arlington Heights keeps the Bears in the Chicago media market.

Then there’s the lease the Bears can’t seemingly break…

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jun 29, 21 @ 8:02 am
This would be quite appropriate considering the centennials of Red Grange’s careers with the Illini and Bears are approaching: additional seasons of Bears home games in Champaign (like when the spaceship was installed on Soldier Field in 2002).

Comment by EssentialStateEmployeeFromChatham Tuesday, Jun 29, 21 @ 8:03 am
Glad that JBP has publicly foreclosed on the idea of taxpayer dollars subsidizing a new stadium. I’m sure the McCaskey clan can secure private financing if they’re truly motivated to make the move.

Comment by The Doc Tuesday, Jun 29, 21 @ 8:14 am
Pritzker would be smart not to get into a literal turf war here between municipalities/areas of the state. NFL teams get the big $ when they have out of state leverage. Everyone knows the Bears have none. Build whatever you want and tell us where. Yes, roads will need improving, etc. but build the stadium yourself.

Comment by Ron Burgundy Tuesday, Jun 29, 21 @ 8:35 am
Maybe Green Bay will kick in if they agree to beat the Bears only 65% of the time.

Comment by Flyin' Elvis'-Utah Chapter Tuesday, Jun 29, 21 @ 8:36 am
Or how about this idea…the State tells the Bears, you pay for the stadium, we’ll pay for the Quarterback. On second thought, nevermind.

Comment by Skeptic Tuesday, Jun 29, 21 @ 8:37 am
To quote Richard M. Daley, “Well, they can go to Alaska. When you start threatening people that you’re going to move out to Alaska or Hawaii, you’re going to keep moving.”

Comment by Shield Tuesday, Jun 29, 21 @ 8:42 am
==the State tells the Bears, you pay for the stadium, we’ll pay for the Quarterback. ==

Or how about this other novel idea, we’ll only pay for the stadium If the Bears decide to invest in Winning. And I don’t mean just consistent 9-7 seasons every year. I mean Division titles, NFC championships or at least deep playoff runs, and several Super Bowl titles. The State tells the McCaskeys to invest in a winning dynasty as a precondition to any state funding for a new stadium.

Comment by EssentialStateEmployeeFromChatham Tuesday, Jun 29, 21 @ 8:46 am
As the public sector moves towards “evidence based practices” we need to remember that studies consistently show that sports stadiums are not effective economic development tools. They mainly just move around entertainment dollars.

Comment by City Guy Tuesday, Jun 29, 21 @ 8:46 am
If they leave can we rip the spaceship off Soldiers Field?

Comment by Cheryl44 Tuesday, Jun 29, 21 @ 8:53 am
He is being very careful with his words. He may not use public money but I am assuming he has an opinion and is evaluating other policy levers.

Does the state gaming act allow for a casino at the same location? Could the state permit other activities such as gaming that provide the Bears with “Private” revenue but not public money?

I think this is a real thing, as a Bears fan I hope this happens. Our stadium is a joke and getting there is impossible. This team can sell more tickets in a bigger better stadium.

Comment by Siriously Tuesday, Jun 29, 21 @ 8:57 am
Wait, why are they considering Arlington Heights? Shouldn’t they be looking at NW Indiana, capitalist paradise that it is? Everyone is leaving Illinois./s

Comment by JS Mill Tuesday, Jun 29, 21 @ 9:03 am
Thank you, governor. Not one red cent of public funds to the McCaskeys.

Comment by Crispy Tuesday, Jun 29, 21 @ 9:05 am
=== “But again, these are private decisions by private companies, and I think that the mayor (Lori Lightfoot) will have much more direct input in that than I will,” Pritzker said.===

This could also be interpreted as “Lori, don’t fumble my kickoff.”

Comment by EssentialStateEmployeeFromChatham Tuesday, Jun 29, 21 @ 9:30 am
=== This could also be interpreted as “Lori, don’t fumble my kickoff.”===

Lightfoot would want the Bears to move?

Hmm.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jun 29, 21 @ 9:32 am
No taxpayer money for rich investors wanting “partnership” to get stadiums; the payback isn’t there, as multiple studies of these follies indicate. The State should sell off it’s share of any remaining “deals” to the private sector; we’ve got to fix IDES, IDHS, IHFS, IDVA now.

Comment by thisjustinagain Tuesday, Jun 29, 21 @ 10:02 am
Been a lot of mumbling about a team sale. The team would be more valuable with an exit strategy from Soldier Field in place. It doesn’t have to be implemented, they can leave that for the next owners. No hard evidence, but it fits.

Comment by Excessively Rabid Tuesday, Jun 29, 21 @ 10:14 am
“We ain’t payin’ for it.”
I‘m no fan of sweetheart deals that publicly fund stadiums. However, JB could be more thoughtful by leaving the door open to some form of help. Without incentives, Soldier Field stays in the backwater of NFL stadiums. Horrible architectural mash-up of greek/ufo, dearth of washrooms, capacity too low for Super bowl. Parking access/egress is terrible.

Comment by Donnie Elgin Tuesday, Jun 29, 21 @ 10:33 am
=JB could be more thoughtful by leaving the door open to some form of help.=

Given the current trend among cities and states to not do this why would he? The arguments you’ve made could just as easily apply to Wrigley Field and the owners of that franchise were able to see to it to fund their desires on their own. Why should the McCaskey family be treated any differently?

Comment by Pundent Tuesday, Jun 29, 21 @ 10:57 am
===JB could be more thoughtful by leaving the door open to some form of help.===

Socialism for the rich, capitalism for the rest of us. Nope. I’d also like a cool $billion to upgrade my house. Ain’t gonna happen. Let the McCaskeys foot the bill themselves.

Comment by Nick Name Tuesday, Jun 29, 21 @ 11:05 am
In a word: No…not a priority right now…if this does happen, I will not miss the freezing Lake winds one must endure at Soldier Field…

Comment by Loop Lady Tuesday, Jun 29, 21 @ 11:07 am
Cheryl 44: I thought it was a toilet seat…lol

Comment by Loop Lady Tuesday, Jun 29, 21 @ 11:08 am
“the mayor will have much more direct input in that than I will,” Pritzker said.”

In other words, deal with her: I ain’t steppin’ in Lori Lightfoot’s footsteps, I’m staying in my lane.”

Comment by Pizza Man Tuesday, Jun 29, 21 @ 11:23 am
Guv: “Bears threatening to move?? For what? Are they winning each year too?”

Comment by Pizza Man Tuesday, Jun 29, 21 @ 11:25 am
This => “Without incentives, Soldier Field stays in the backwater of NFL stadiums.” One could interpret JB’s comments that there’s no political will and/or money available to upgrade Soldier Field. If that’s the case, the Bears would be foolish to not pursue their own stadium instead of riding out the remainder of their lease and still be stuck in the smallest stadium in the NFL.

Comment by Occam Tuesday, Jun 29, 21 @ 12:03 pm
What incentive does the state have to get involved? They aren’t threatening to leave the state, so there’s no effect on state finances from the move other than if they decide they need to actually upgrade the roads around the Arlington facility. Add in that any move out of the city would harm the local businesses and the tax base in the city, especially in the downtown and near south side from millennium park down to 18th street or Cermak, and you’d essentially be asking for Chicago Democrats (including but not limited to Pritzker, Welch, and Lightford) to subsidize a move to a suburb and asking their constituents to pay for it on top of that. There’s just no way they ever do something so politically inept.

Comment by Anon324 Tuesday, Jun 29, 21 @ 2:16 pm
=Add in that any move out of the city would harm the local businesses and the tax base in the city=

Little evidence to that point. It’s 8 days a year that the Bears play at home.

Comment by Cool Papa Bell Tuesday, Jun 29, 21 @ 2:45 pm
There have been multiple Bear sightings in southern Illinois in recent weeks. Maybe they’re not kidding.

Comment by Blue Dog Tuesday, Jun 29, 21 @ 3:28 pm
@Anon324

Neither Welch nor Lightford are Chicagoans, fyi.

Comment by JP Altgeld Tuesday, Jun 29, 21 @ 4:27 pm
Pretty clear to me that the Bears are heading to AH.

I personally would like to see them hit the road and then bring an expansion team to Soldier Field so we can get a proper franchise in the best football city in the league.

Comment by JP Altgeld Tuesday, Jun 29, 21 @ 4:32 pm
=== Pretty clear to me that the Bears are heading to AH.===

Fair enough. Explain how they break the lease with the city AND fund the new building, and feel they can ask for money by breaking the lease?

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jun 29, 21 @ 4:34 pm
I don’t think they will break the lease. I think this happens after 2033.

Comment by JP Altgeld Tuesday, Jun 29, 21 @ 4:48 pm
== Pretty clear to me that the Bears are heading to AH. ==

I have heard that the McCaskeys have already been buying available land surrounding the track. I heard this rumor shortly after Churchill Downs announced they would seek a casino license in Waukegan and forgo the license opportunity at the track - long before the bid to purchase the track was announced. I think this is solidly in the works.

== Explain how they break the lease with the city ==

There’s only 9 years left on the new lease, and the city can make a lot of money on it during that time. Plus, it’s going to take a lot longer than the 2 years it took to renovate Soldier Field to turn the racetrack into an NFL stadium. (And yes, I purposefully left out the rest of that question, because I don’t know how they fund the whole thing.)

Comment by Oxfordian Tuesday, Jun 29, 21 @ 4:49 pm
== Pretty clear to me that the Bears are heading to AH. ==

I have heard that the McCaskeys have already been buying available land surrounding the track. I heard this rumor shortly after Churchill Downs announced they would seek a casino license in Waukegan and forgo the license opportunity at the track - long before the bid to purchase the track was announced. I think this is solidly in the works.

== Explain how they break the lease with the city ==

There’s only 9 years left on the new lease, and the city can make a lot of money on it during that time. Plus, it’s going to take a lot longer than the 2 years it took to renovate Soldier Field to turn the racetrack into an NFL stadium. (And yes, I purposefully left out the rest of that question, because I don’t know how they fund the whole thing.)

Comment by Oxfordian Tuesday, Jun 29, 21 @ 4:49 pm