Pritzker wants Bears legislation to move faster; tax questions loom large

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

(The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker says he would like the General Assembly to move faster on legislation for the Chicago Bears, but questions about taxation loom large over a proposed megaprojects bill.

When asked for an update at an event in downtown Chicago on Thursday, the governor said the discussions are still going on.

“We already have on the table a pretty strong, I would describe it as more than just an outline, it’s a scaffolding of a deal, like, everybody understands what the pieces of this are,” Pritzker said.

The governor said all 177 state legislators need to be in on the discussions.

“I would like the legislature to move faster, because I believe that would be good for everybody to get this done,” Pritzker said.

The megaprojects bill would allow any $500 million development in the state to pay a negotiated lower rate instead of the same property tax that other companies and residents pay, and it would allow the construction of the facility to be done sales-tax free for 10 years.

Later on Thursday, leading lawmakers weighed in at the Illinois Chamber of Commerce’s Chamber Day in Springfield.

“I’m mostly concerned about the left tackle position,” joked Illinois Senate President Don Harmon, D-Oak Park.

Harmon said members of his caucus had no interest in spending on a new stadium and said if Indiana is convinced to pay billions for Bears facility, “We might have to help them pack.”

Illinois House Republican Leader Tony McCombie, R-Savanna, said she hoped the megaprojects bill would ultimately be a new tool for business to want to come to Illinois.

“It’s much bigger than the Bears,” McCombie said.

Brian Costin of Americans for Prosperity Illinois said the bill as proposed would be catastrophic.

“What the bill does is that it forces people to pay the property taxes of mega millionaires and billionaires,” Costin told The Center Square.

Costin said every dollar in tax relief for megaprojects can be used to raise taxes on people in surrounding communities.

“The village of Arlington Heights and their downtown area is very nice, Palatine, Rolling Meadows, nice communities. They’re going to look like Harvey in 10 to 15 years if Gov. Pritzker continues with his policies of pushing for special privileges for the politically connected and ultra high tax burdens for everyone else,” Costin said.

Costin said property tax rates are more than 4.5% for Harvey residents.

According to U.S. Census data, Harvey’s population declined from more than 25,282 in 2010 to 19,781 in 2024.

The current legislative session is scheduled to end May 31.

Jon Styf and Sean Reed contributed to this story.