Illinois Governor JB Pritzker has major reservations about the Chicago Bears’ proposed new stadium on the lakefront. The proposal, which includes redeveloping the museum campus and improving infrastructure, has drawn the governor’s scrutiny due to its potential impact on state finances and priorities.
In response to the Bears’ pitch, Pritzker expressed skepticism and emphasized that other concerns deserve the state’s attention, particularly healthcare, education, and transportation services. He questioned the wisdom of diverting public funds to a football stadium when other areas are in dire need of investment.
The Bears’ proposed stadium would require a significant amount of taxpayer money, raising concerns about the allocation of public resources. The McCaskey family, which owns the Bears, has limited business holdings outside of the team and relies heavily on its revenue. While the state has an interest in keeping the Bears in Chicago, Pritzker believes that the public should not bear the burden of funding a new stadium.
Governor Pritzker’s skepticism reflects a broader trend in America where publicly funded stadiums have become less popular. A referendum in Kansas City, Missouri, recently rejected a proposal for a new stadium for the Chiefs, highlighting the public’s resistance to using tax dollars for sports facilities.
The Bears’ situation is similar to that of the Chiefs. Without public funding, the team may have to wait indefinitely for a new stadium. However, the state of Illinois is not in a position to donate a percentage of its funds to a football stadium, making it unlikely that the Bears will receive the necessary approval for their proposal in its current form.
If the Bears want to build a new stadium in Illinois, they will need to eliminate the requirement of tax dollars. Unless the construction is privately financed, the Chicago Bears will not have a stadium any time soon.
