SPRINGFIELD (WBBM NEWSRADIO) - White Sox executives were in Springfield Tuesday pitching a new ballpark to Illinois lawmakers.
Plans include a six acre sports complex known as "The 78" near Clark and Roosevelt in the South Loop.
Crain's Business Chicago reported last week that White Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf is hoping for a billion dollars in public funding for the new stadium. He's also looking to extend the 2% hotel occupancy tax for decades more.
“We recognize discussions about The 78 serving as the future home of the Chicago White Sox have generated a lot of excitement over the potential of the larger project’s positive economic impact,” a ballclub spokesperson said in a statement. “We are mindful and respectful of the legislative process and wanted to travel to Springfield to meet personally with legislative leaders. We’re excited to share our vision, and we appreciate their time and hospitality.”
Reinsdorf was in attendance Tuesday but did not offer reporters an update when asked how the meeting went.
Representatives from Related Midwest, which owns the proposed site, were also in Springfield. In a statement, they highlighted the thousands of jobs construction would create.
“As we shared in the meetings, the 78 is a generational development and an investment in our hometown,” Related Midwest said. “It’s personal to us and we are excited about the prospect of delivering the city’s next great neighborhood, while making a historic economic investment that will bring over 10,000 construction jobs and 22,000 permanent jobs to our city and state. The long-term impact will be transformative – creating a new riverfront neighborhood anchored by a state-of-the-art ballpark for generations of fans to enjoy and help enhance Chicago’s place as a top destination.”
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