Illinois Legislation’s Clock Runs Out As ‘Da Bears’ Again Get No Stadium Help

Poor Bears.

Recently, Illinois passed their new budget for the next fiscal year and there was more concern over what's not in it than there was what did make it in.

What They Landed On: New Illinois Budget Passes: Here's What's About To Be Taxed

Things that weren't included (since it was voted on in the 11th hour) were measures addressing Chicago's transit issues and a possible "climate fee" for Illinois residents that could make it's way into the fall session.

Yay More Taxes: Home Deliveries May Soon Be More Expensive In Illinois In New Tax

Also not included: a measure that would help the Chicago Bears with their stadium.

Chicago Sun-Times reports that the Bears called it "megadevelopment" legislation. Basically, it would freeze property tax assessments for big projects and let them negotiate payments with local taxes.

The Bears say the property tax being set and certain would give them what they need to break ground on a $5 million suburban development, the Arlington International Racecourse grounds that the franchise bought in 2021. They have hoped to build a dome stadium there.

But actually, no funds in the new budget were set aside to help with stadium projects. State lawmakers haven't been fans of putting taxpayer money into the Bears.

Bears president Kevin Warren wanted to get something going last year with a new stadium south of Soldier Field. But in May, they reshifted their focus back to Arlington.

Governor Pritzker has constantly rejected the idea of the state helping 'da Bears' but he did bring in an outside stadium consultant to review the Bears' plans last year.

We all know the Bears have had a go of it. They've had the highs (like a Super Bowl win in 1985) and they've had the lows (a 3-14 record in 2022).