Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker's office had a blunt message for the Bears after team officials met with some of his top aides to discuss their new stadium plans.
According to the governor's press secretary, Chief of Staff Anne Caprara and Deputy Gov. Andy Manar met with the team to discuss their latest proposal, which was presented publicly for the first time last week.Secretary Alex Gough said the office"appreciates the opportunity to discuss the Bears’ proposal and appreciates the organization for taking the time to discuss it," but had a blunt message for the team going forward.
"As the Governor has said, the current proposal is a non-starter for the state," Gough said in a statement to NBC Chicago."In order to subsidize a brand new stadium for a privately owned sports team, the Governor would need to see a demonstrable and tangible benefit to the taxpayers of Illinois.
“I wonder if it’s a good deal for the taxpayers,” Pritzker said. “It’s very important to me that, with all the state needs to accomplish, that we think about what the priorities are for the state… there are a lot of priorities the state has and I’m not sure that this is among the highest priorities for taxpayers.”“At first glance, more than $2 billion in private funding is better than zero and a more credible opening offer,” Harmon said in a statement.
Feeling out of the loop? We'll catch you up on the Chicago news you need to know. Sign up for the weeklyThe Bears bought 326 acres of land in Arlington Heights last year, and previously announced plans to build a new stadium there. But contentious negotiations about property taxes in the suburbs have become an obstacle for that plan. Earlier this year the team said it was switching its focus away from Arlington Heights back to the city.
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