Are Stadiums Paid for by the Public a Wise Investment? State Lawmakers Comment on the Plans of Chicago Teams
It’s likely that you’ve been informed about the White Sox and Chicago Bears stadium ambitions.
They are not the only ones advocating for stadiums to be funded by the government.
Lead investor for the Chicago Red Stars women’s football team Laura Rickets stated she wants a piece of the action and has been meeting with state legislators to argue that the team needs to leave its stadium in the southwest suburb of Bridgeview.
The Chicago Cubs are reportedly asking the government for $30 million in order to bolster security around Wrigley Field, according to Crain’s Chicago Business.
However, as these proposals were being presented, Governor J.B. Pritzker appeared to interrupt.
“At an unrelated event, I think I’ve been fairly clear about the fact that taxpayers’ dollars are precious,” Pritzker said in response to a question from a reporter. “It doesn’t seem like the stadium should have a higher priority to take taxpayer dollars and subsidise its construction as opposed to, say, subsidising the construction of a birthing centre,” the speaker said.
Representative Brad Stephens (R-Norridge), the mayor of Rosemont, and other legislators met with White Sox Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf last week in Springfield.
According to Stephens, “public funding for these kinds of projects makes sense in some situations if it benefits taxpayers in the long run.” “At this point, it’s difficult to determine whether these projects offer that benefit. A thorough examination of the funding mechanism is necessary, and those figures ought to be cautious, in my opinion. Give more than you promise.
The University of Illinois football player who is now a state representative from Chicago, Rep. Kam Buckner, was also present to greet Reinsdorf upon his arrival in Springfield. Notwithstanding his illustrious athletic career, Buckner is cautious about the Bears and White Sox stadium proposals.
“I have previously stated that public funding for private stadiums has proven to be problematic in the past and that Illinois taxpayers must
“I have consistently stated that public funding for private stadiums has historically presented challenges and that Illinois taxpayers must always be safeguarded,” Buckner said. “I also believe that the state and these organisations could be able to form some creative and responsible partnerships.”
Democratic state representative Mark Walker thinks there are ways to ensure that the teams and taxpayers benefit equally. Arlington Park is currently owned by the Chicago Bears and is being considered for a new stadium. Walker represents Arlington Park in his district.
Walker stated, “The Bears and Sox proposals are appealing and comprehensive.” Both of them will facilitate potential investments in commercial and residential real estate as well as multi-level economic development. The Bears have been talking about their plans for months, while the Sox have only recently given us ideas, so many of the Bears’ plans are clearer than the Sox’s. Either of these plans must benefit all neighbouring communities in order to be approved; otherwise, we will not support them.
