(WBBM NEWSRADIO) - When state lawmakers meet in Springfield next month, they are not expected to debate incentives for a new stadium for the Chicago Bears.
Bears President and CEO Kevin Warren told the Chicago Tribune they’re having productive discussions with the city of Chicago and will continue to talk with leaders from Arlington Heights and other locations, so the team will not push bills for a megadevelopment in the veto session.
State Rep. Mary Beth Canty from Arlington Heights told the paper she doesn’t see much interest in Bears-specific legislation, and it seems unlikely that support for it would grow. She thinks it’s right for them to focus on what they can control.
Legislators have introduced bills to freeze property tax assessments on such mega-developments and establish new fees to pay off debt from the Soldier Field remodel 20 years ago as well as infrastructure improvements near the property the team bought in Arlington Heights.
The team paid $197 million to buy the Arlington Park racecourse. Their lease at Soldier Field runs through 2033.
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