As the Chicago Bears’ search for a future stadium site continues, there were no major plot twists Wednesday – just discussions between the governor’s office and GOP lawmakers in Springfield who could be crucial in advancing the megaprojects bill before lawmakers leave at the end of May.
The Bears are still weighing where to build a new stadium. Indiana lawmakers acted quickly earlier this year to pass legislation aimed at luring the NFL franchise over state lines.
Illinois lawmakers are still mulling over language changes to a megaprojects bill that could give the Bears the property tax assurances they have sought since purchasing the 326-acre site in Arlington Heights three years ago.
The governor’s office released a statement Wednesday that said very little about what emerged from those discussions with lawmakers.
“The Governor’s Office is in regular communication with stakeholders on all sides of the aisle regarding the future of the Chicago Bears. Those conversations have been ongoing since the beginning and will continue as discussions move forward,” the statement read.
But Rep. Kam Buckner provided praise for his GOP counterpart, Rep. Brad Stephens, who was among those lawmakers in the talks.
“I really do respect his understanding when it comes to economic development, when it comes building large things. He’s done a lot of it, not just as a state rep, but as the mayor of Rosemont. And so I think it’s always better to have more voices in the room and at the table. And I want to glean and lean on him to make sure that. We’re looking at this the right way,” he said. “We are, once again, working through the very fine minutiae and nuances of what legislation will look like. Once again, this will be statewide, this would be a statewide mechanism for economic development throughout Illinois, so I want to make sure that we get this right. I think once again we’re very close to getting this done and I believe that we’ll have it done in short order.”
Buckner would not provide an exact timeline but confirmed an amended megaprojects bill would be filed “soon.”
Illinois lawmakers plan to meet until May 31.
Earlier this month, in an interview with NBC Chicago, Bears President Kevin Warren said he felt good about the organization’s position to make a “business decision” while acknowledging it would be impacted by politics. He said they hope to make a decision by late spring or early summer.
Among the potential language changes, Buckner said, include: “(creating)more protections and more incentives for taxpayers… I understand that a lot of this is conversations about corporations and businesses and developers. And I believe that that is a huge part of our state economy and we’ve got to find a way to get that right. But we cannot do it at the expense of the taxpayers. And so what folks will see when we present an amendment to what was already passed is a lot stronger protections, a lot more incentives for the everyday folks in this state who are just trying to make it and and property taxes.”
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