US EditionIllinois House Passes Latest Plan Supporting Bears Stadium in Arlington Heights, Heads to Senate
The measure would let the Bears negotiate long-term property tax deals and could decide whether the team stays in Illinois, lawmakers said.
- On Wednesday, the Illinois House neared a pivotal vote on "megaprojects" legislation designed to provide tax certainty for a potential domed stadium in Arlington Heights for the Chicago Bears.
- Illinois lawmakers are racing to finalize the deal as the Bears consider more than 300 acres in northwest Indiana, where officials already approved an incentive package to lure the team across the state line.
- The legislation allows developers of projects with more than $500 million in investment to negotiate payments in lieu of taxes, or PILOT, with 50% of revenue dedicated to property tax relief for residents.
- House Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch maintains an unofficial rule requiring at least 60 Democrats to advance any bill, while Chicago educators worry the proposal could siphon revenue from public schools.
- Even if the House passes the measure this week, the Illinois Senate must approve it upon returning April 28, and Gov. JB Pritzker's office is currently reviewing the draft amendment.
28 Articles
28 Articles
Bears exit from Chicago closer to reality as House passes bill helping Arlington Heights bid
The measure represents the first major legislative step toward ensuring the Bears stay in Illinois. The thorny details of infrastructure funding for Arlington Heights — which are likely to include help for Chicago — must still be dealt with before lawmakers adjourn from the spring session next month.
Illinois House advances bill for new Chicago Bears stadium
The Illinois House of Representatives on Wednesday night advanced a measure to set up property tax rates that would help to build a new Chicago Bears stadium in Illinois.The vote was 78-32.Called the megaprojects bill, Illinois House Bill 910 now goes to the Senate for consideration. If approved by both the House and Senate, the bill would go to Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker for his signature. The final day of this years legislative session is set…
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