From State Senator Don DeWitte:
I was hopeful the legislature would have success when I learned a simplified proposal to keep the Chicago Bears in Illinois was coming forward in the final hours of session.
Typically I would frown upon a bill that came to us at 3:00 in the morning with very little time for review, but due to the volatile nature of the negotiations between the Bears and officials in both Illinois and Indiana, I felt we had to give the bill full consideration.
House Bill 958 as amended would have allowed municipalities in Cook County with populations of over 70,000 to create a local Stadium Authority. With regard to the Arlington Heights property, the Bears would build the stadium with it’s own funds, and upon completion, the stadium property would be turned over to the municipality, which would, in turn, enter into a lease agreement.
Because the land would become public land, there would be no property taxes owed on the stadium land.
It is important to note that all but a couple NFL stadiums are located on publicly-owned land and therefore are exempt from property taxes.
Through HB 958, the Bears would, however, pay property taxes on all of the restaurants, hotels, retail establishments, and other properties that would be part of the larger, mixed-use, development around a stadium.
I voted in favor of the bill.
Ultimately, the Bears bill passed in the Senate, but it was not brought up for a vote in the House.
As you have undoubtedly heard, on Friday the Bears announced they will move forward with their stadium project in Hammond, Indiana. Upon hearing the announcement, I issued the following statement:
“Today’s announcement that the Chicago Bears will move forward with their stadium development project in Hammond, Indiana is deeply disappointing and represents a major failure of leadership by Governor JB Pritzker and other leaders who had the power to keep this franchise in Illinois. Despite today’s announcement, I remain hopeful this is not the final chapter and that there is still an opportunity to keep the Bears in our state. Few organizations are as deeply woven into our state’s identity as the Chicago Bears.
“Throughout this process, Governor Pritzker failed to demonstrate the urgency, engagement, and leadership necessary to secure the future of one of Illinois’ most important economic engines. The governor had a responsibility to bring stakeholders together, facilitate serious negotiations, and make the case that Illinois was committed to keeping the Bears. Instead, he chose to sit on the sidelines while the session clock ticked down to zero.
“While Governor Pritzker bears the greatest responsibility for where we find ourselves today, he is not alone. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Democrat leaders in the Senate and House also share responsibility for failing to provide the leadership and vision needed to keep the Bears in Illinois. At every level of government, Illinois leaders had an opportunity to come together around a solution. Instead, they allowed indecision, political posturing, and inaction to put one of Illinois’ most valuable assets at risk.
“I hope Illinois still has an opportunity to keep this team. But if the Bears ultimately leave for Indiana, it will stand as one of the greatest economic and cultural failures in recent state history. It will also be a lasting reminder of a governor who, when faced with a challenge that required leadership, simply failed to govern.”
