From State Rep. Jeff Keicher:
Keicher: No Reason We Can’t Keep the Bears and Protect Taxpayers
SYCAMORE – As negotiations continue over legislation to facilitate megaprojects like the Chicago Bears building a new stadium and commercial complex in Arlington Heights, State Representative Jeff Keicher (R-Sycamore) sat down with Senior Fellows from the Illinois Policy Institute, Mark Batinick and Tom Demmer, to discuss their concerns with the current proposal and how to ensure any final deal is good for the taxpayers of Illinois.
“I am a lifelong Bears fan and want the team to stay in Illinois, but in the discussion of a mega project framework, the rules we establish must be a good deal for taxpayers,” said Keicher.
“Like many others, I have concerns with the current proposal being floated.
“There is no reason we can’t use this moment to find a solution that leads to both a first-class stadium complex and protects taxpayers.
“If what develops is a framework that allows Illinois to succeed with other large-scale projects, too, and that helps property taxpayers, everyone wins.
“Illinois taxpayers have been disadvantaged too many times in the past; we need to earn their trust back by presenting a good plan.”
Some concerns Keicher, Batinick and Demmer expressed with the current proposal are the thresholds for tiered investments, the lack of an assessment floor, and how local taxing bodies may be able to capture more property tax dollars from residents and exceed PTELL limitations.
“This can be a world-class asset that draws global events, or another costly political mistake,” said Batinick. “The difference is whether we get it right.”
“We need to remember that while this is being motivated by the Bears stadium project, this proposal applies to a wide range of other megaprojects that could happen in Illinois,” said Demmer.
“We need to think about this not just from the perspective of one deal, but how this could set a precedent for other megaprojects across the state.”
To watch the complete discussion as Keicher, Batinick and Demmer lay out their concerns and suggestions to improve the current proposal, visit RepKeicher.com.
