One thing that is inevitable when politics are involved is that everybody will seek to get their own slice of the pie. The Chicago Bears made their intentions clear when they unveiled plans for a new lakefront dome complex south of Soldier Field. It would completely revamp the surrounding property into a premium year-round tourist destination. As always, the price tag is an issue. Projects have it cost around $5 billion to complete. While the Bears and NFL have pledged to handle around 72% of it, they still need help from the state to cover the rest.
Governor J.B. Pritzker has vowed he will pledge zero public money to such a project unless the Bears can prove it is to the genuine benefit of taxpayers. While the two sides begin their bureaucratic battle to find a deal, others are using it as an opportunity to try getting some of that money as well. It’s known the Chicago White Sox are also seeking a new stadium, finally tired of Guaranteed Rate Field. They aren’t alone. According to the Chicago Tribune, another sports body is angling for new accommodations.
As the Chicago Bears’ proposed lakefront stadium plans remain in Springfield purgatory, some Democratic lawmakers are using the opportunity to begin discussions about public funding for women’s professional sports facilities should the Bears’ plans see movement in the legislature.
An unorthodox proposal filed earlier this month, which faces long odds of passage before lawmakers are scheduled to adjourn the spring session on Friday, calls for the state to set aside an unspecified amount of funding for a women’s sports stadium if Illinois helps finance a new home for the Bears, the Chicago White Sox or any other men’s pro team.
While the legislation is ambiguous in parts and likely to change if it comes up for a legislative vote, it strikes on the issue of equity, politically popular among Democrats, that many Illinois elected officials have raised in recent months as the Bears and White Sox have come to the statehouse with their hands out.
It is hard enough to pry money from Illinois lawmakers alone. Two other organizations trying to do the same thing only make their job harder. Team president Kevin Warren is known for being a shrewd negotiator, which was a big reason the Bears hired him. He managed to lure USC and UCLA to the Big Ten in college and worked out lucrative TV deals. He also was a key component in helping the Minnesota Vikings build U.S. Bank Stadium a few years ago. Warren is a professional in situations like this.
Still, it is a safe bet this will be the most difficult endeavor he’s encountered in a long football career. Illinois and Chicago politicians are renowned for being difficult and self-serving at the best of times. In others, they are outright crooked. The Chicago Bears have to be prepared for a dogfight at every turn if they’re committed to seeing this process to the end. Otherwise, it might be best to turn their attention back to Arlington Heights, which many believe will still end up being their final result.
