Gov. JB Pritzker only had one scheduled meeting in May with the two main legislative negotiators of megaprojects legislation that would have allowed the Chicago Bears to negotiate and lock in a lower property tax payment for up to 40 years.
Two sources close to negotiations confirmed that legislation is being crafted that would enable local governments to set up their own stadium authorities — a mechanism that would allow the Bears to escape paying property taxes altogether.
Sen. Bill Cunningham said a PILOT bill is off the table, the Bears have had several previously undisclosed meetings with the city of Chicago, and Senate Dems want Chicago to be on an “equal plane” in competing for a new stadium.
With just over 24 hours left in the spring legislative session, several major issues remain in flux. Lawmakers are getting closer to finalizing the budget, the Bears megaproject bill remains a coinflip, hemp and cannabis reform was showing some signs of life, but sources tell us the governor’s housi
Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias said Tuesday that he’s “focused right now on finishing the session” but acknowledged that conversations about a widely-speculated 2027 campaign for Chicago mayor are just on the horizon.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson tested his clout in Springfield this week by – publicly and privately – urging state lawmakers to reject a megaprojects bill that would clear the way for the team to leave the city’s lakefront for a domed stadium in suburban Arlington Heights.
Rep. Kam Buckner is pushing back on Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s characterization of his megaprojects bill as a giveaway for large developers that would harm Chicago.
