Illinois Wants to tie Stadium Funding to Win-Loss Records

Illinois sports teams might have to start winning before they start building.

A proposal in the Illinois General Assembly would make public stadium funding contingent on a team’s on-field success, potentially affecting several franchises seeking taxpayer support, Crain’s reported.

State Rep. Bob Morgan proposed the BEARS (Balanced Earnings and Record Standards) Act, which would block teams from receiving public money for stadium projects unless they maintain a .500 record in three of the last five seasons.

“No one wants to see taxpayer dollars wasted by billionaire team owners that are not investing in their teams’ competitiveness,” Morgan said.

The bill was announced before the death of longtime Bears owner Virginia McCaskey on Thursday at age 102.

Several teams in Chicago are seeking financial support for new venues. White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf has proposed building a stadium at Related Midwest’s The 78, a 62-acre megadevelopment in the South Loop, requesting $1.1 billion in public subsidies and an additional $900 million in infrastructure improvements. The Sox set the record for most losses in a season with 121 last year, when they had the worst team in the league’s modern history.

The Bears, who finished the season with a 5-12 record, have suggested multiple locations for a stadium, including a $3.2 billion project on the South Side that would rely on more than $2 billion in public funding. The Bears reconsidered that 49-acre Bronzeville Lakefront site, where Scott Goodman’s Farpoint Development has revived plans for a $6 million megadevelopment, following the state’s rejection of the team’s $900 million subsidy request for a lakefront stadium near Soldier Field. Meanwhile, the team also reached a tax agreement with entities in Arlington Heights.

The Chicago Fire and Stars, soccer teams that also had losing seasons, are pursuing stadium plans. Fire owner Joe Mansueto has expressed interest in a 25,000-seat venue at The 78, though no final agreement has been reached; Mansueto has said any stadium development would be privately financed. The Stars, majority owned by Laura Ricketts, have yet to formalize plans but have indicated a desire for a new facility.

Mayor Brandon Johnson has voiced support for a publicly funded Bears stadium, while Gov. J.B. Pritzker has rejected the idea of using state money for sports venues.

— Andrew Terrell