The Chicago Bears executive leading the organization’s effort to build a new stadium met with Gov. JB Pritzker’s top economic development official in August, according to emails obtained by Capitol News Illinois via a public records request.
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.
With just 10 days before state lawmakers wrap up their spring session, there’s “substantial opposition” to megaprojects legislation that would ostensibly clear the path for the Chicago Bears to build a new domed stadium in Arlington Heights, a top negotiator told Capitol News Illinois.
