Illinois State Rep. Bob Morgan has proposed legislation that would tie public financing for professional sports stadiums to a team’s performance, aiming to ensure taxpayer money is spent responsibly. The proposal would require teams to have a winning record in at least three of their past five regular seasons to be eligible for public funding. Both the Chicago Bears and Chicago White Sox are seeking help to fund new stadiums, with the Bears seeking $2.4 billion in public financing for a $4.7 billion lakefront stadium, and the White Sox aiming for $1.1 billion in public subsidies for a $4 billion ballpark complex. However, under Morgan’s proposal, neither would qualify for public financing due to their recent performance.
Governor JB Pritzker has expressed reluctance to provide public financing for sports stadiums, calling the Bears’ stadium proposal a “nonstarter” last year. Morgan’s legislation has yet to be assigned to a committee for review in the Illinois House, where it was introduced on Thursday. It would need approval from both the House and Senate before potentially being signed into law by the governor. Pritzker has been vocal about being careful with taxpayer dollars, and the proposed legislation aims to prioritize public investments for teams that are performing at a competitive level. This move comes as Illinois residents are facing rising living costs and limited public funds, and the focus is on ensuring responsible spending on billion-dollar franchises.
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