SZALINSKI’S SUMMARY: The PGA Tour will receive a $1 million grant from the state of Illinois for costs associated with the Presidents Cup happening in Medinah in September. It’s the latest sport to receive financial help from the state to put on an event.
THE BUDGET: The fiscal year 2027 budget that takes effect July 1 appropriates $1 million to the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity for a grant to the PGA Tour for costs associated with a tournament. It also includes a $500,000 reappropriation for a grant to the PGA for unspecified infrastructure improvements.
CONTRACT: A Freedom of Information Act request by Capitol News Illinois revealed DCEO and the PGA signed a grant agreement for $1 million for the Presidents Cup tournament at the Medinah Country Club in the western suburbs on the last weekend of September.
The grant allows the PGA to be reimbursed for buying and installing equipment for the tournament. In return, DCEO expects an increase in tourism and economic activity for the state. The PGA must submit quarterly reports to the state but will be broadly graded on whether the project is completed.
Read the grant contract here: PGA Tour grant contract
The Presidents Cup is one of the top events in professional golf that is hosted by the PGA. It’s a tournament between the top American golfers on the PGA Tour, in addition to others selected by the captain, and a team of international players selected from broader international points and ranking systems. It is typically held in even-numbered years, while the Ryder Cup between the United States and Europe is held in odd-numbered years.
Medinah hosted the 2012 Ryder Cup and most recently hosted the 2019 BMW Championship.
NOT CLEAR: It’s not clear where the other $500,000 reappropriation for the PGA will go. The budget provided no details, and DCEO had no other contracts with the PGA. The only other PGA event in Illinois this year is the John Deere Classic near the Quad Cities this weekend. The annual tournament has been held in Illinois since 1975.
NO BEARS: The PGA Tour is the latest sport to receive state money while the Chicago Bears were unable to agree with lawmakers on a stadium deal, including infrastructure funding. NASCAR also received money in last year’s budget. The Bears are seeking far greater state funding and changes to state law, while NASCAR and the PGA are receiving smaller grants to host individual and scheduled events. The Bears did not commit to staying in Illinois even if state lawmakers acted.
NASCAR: NASCAR funding is also in the FY27 budget, though the Chicago Street Race, which is where the bulk of prior grant funding has gone, was not on this year’s series schedule. The FY27 budget includes $7.5 million in unspent funds from FY26 and another $5 million appropriation for NASCAR operating expenses.
Read more: Illinois’ tourism push includes millions for NASCAR events
NASCAR still has two races in Illinois this year: one in Joliet this weekend and the state sponsored Enjoy Illinois 300 in the Metro East in September. There are reports NASCAR will return to Chicago’s streets next year, however.
