The Royal Family’s financial transparency has come under scrutiny, with anti-monarchy campaigners highlighting the significant taxpayer burden associated with maintaining the institution. Despite the Sovereign Grant, which covers certain expenses, security costs remain a major point of contention, prompting calls for greater accountability and a potential shift towards a more commercially viable model.
Governor J.B. Pritzker and other top Democrats have rejected the Chicago Bears’ proposed new lakefront stadium, which would require taxpayer funding. The proposal includes $2 billion in private funds from the Bears, but it also includes at least $325 million in taxpayer-backed infrastructure improvements. Pritzker said he believes the proposal is not a high priority for legislators and that he is skeptical of it. Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch said that the proposal would fail if put to a vote in the current legislative session. Illinois Senate President Don Harmon said there is a “substantial gap” remaining in funding and echoed the governor’s skepticism.
