February 5Feb 5 6 minutes ago, 77 Hitmen said: I think the pressure has shifted and is now on IL officials to get a deal done or at least to demonstrate that the Bears' request is completely unreasonable. The highest any stadium pays in taxes as far as I know is SoFi stadium. If IL is holding out to stick the Bears with a $100M property tax bill, they'll end up with nothing. They aren't going to get $100M in taxes on that property when they carve it up to build a bunch of Costcos, car washes, apartment complexes, etc. It's an election year and there will be a lot of egg on people's faces - including the Governor - if the Bears sign a deal to move to Indiana after they offered to pay $2B for the stadium itself here. The Hoosier State will have a field day saying it's another example of people fleeing IL's high taxes....and that's why IN politicians from both sides of the aisle are eager to pass this quickly. But Pritzger can say he didn't give in to the billionaires when he runs for President.
February 5Feb 5 If the Bears are running into this much resistance even with them offering to pay for the entire stadium, what does this mean for any chance of the Sox getting a stadium built at the 78....or even on the site of Old Comiskey? Certainly Ishbia will have to privately finance the entire cost of any new stadium. That might not be out of the question given his and his brother's deep pockets. But will state officials balk at any property tax relief or infrastructure spending for the Sox like they're doing with the Bears? Some of the Bears situation might be due to state reps from Chicago who want to kill the Arlington Heights project because the Bears will be leaving the city limits. Also, the debt on Soldier Field is immensely larger than the one on Rate Field. But the Bears are wayyyy more popular than the White Sox, so I don't expect anyone going out of their way to help the Sox get a stadium built.
February 5Feb 5 5 minutes ago, 77 Hitmen said: If the Bears are running into this much resistance even with them offering to pay for the entire stadium, what does this mean for any chance of the Sox getting a stadium built at the 78....or even on the site of Old Comiskey? Certainly Ishbia will have to privately finance the entire cost of any new stadium. That might not be out of the question given his and his brother's deep pockets. But will state officials balk at any property tax relief or infrastructure spending for the Sox like they're doing with the Bears? Some of the Bears situation might be due to state reps from Chicago who want to kill the Arlington Heights project because the Bears will be leaving the city limits. Also, the debt on Soldier Field is immensely larger than the one on Rate Field. But the Bears are wayyyy more popular than the White Sox, so I don't expect anyone going out of their way to help the Sox get a stadium built. It's a fight over property taxes more than anything.
February 6Feb 6 5 hours ago, 77 Hitmen said: If the Bears are running into this much resistance even with them offering to pay for the entire stadium, what does this mean for any chance of the Sox getting a stadium built at the 78....or even on the site of Old Comiskey? Certainly Ishbia will have to privately finance the entire cost of any new stadium. That might not be out of the question given his and his brother's deep pockets. But will state officials balk at any property tax relief or infrastructure spending for the Sox like they're doing with the Bears? Some of the Bears situation might be due to state reps from Chicago who want to kill the Arlington Heights project because the Bears will be leaving the city limits. Also, the debt on Soldier Field is immensely larger than the one on Rate Field. But the Bears are wayyyy more popular than the White Sox, so I don't expect anyone going out of their way to help the Sox get a stadium built. If the state is balking to this level for the Bears, it makes me think the Sox won't be going anywhere but across 35th street again.
February 6Feb 6 The White Sox will not need a new stadium for at least another decade and when they eventually need one, it sure as fvk is not going to be at the "78."
February 6Feb 6 3 hours ago, Tnetennba said: If the state is balking to this level for the Bears, it makes me think the Sox won't be going anywhere but across 35th street again. It's 100% on what Ishbia wants to pay for.
February 6Feb 6 19 hours ago, 77 Hitmen said: I think the pressure has shifted and is now on IL officials to get a deal done or at least to demonstrate that the Bears' request is completely unreasonable. The highest any stadium pays in taxes as far as I know is SoFi stadium. If IL is holding out to stick the Bears with a $100M property tax bill, they'll end up with nothing. They aren't going to get $100M in taxes on that property when they carve it up to build a bunch of Costcos, car washes, apartment complexes, etc. It's an election year and there will be a lot of egg on people's faces - including the Governor - if the Bears sign a deal to move to Indiana after they offered to pay $2B for the stadium itself here. The Hoosier State will have a field day saying it's another example of people fleeing IL's high taxes....and that's why IN politicians from both sides of the aisle are eager to pass this quickly. Elections in IL are joke. Nobody is losing their election as long at the teachers unions are properly catered to and they are. This is pure ego trip Warren v state legislators. Maybe George crumbles but the Indiana cost certainty outweighs the larger debt and Bears risk in Arlington Heights.
February 6Feb 6 1 hour ago, Harry Chappas said: Elections in IL are joke. Nobody is losing their election as long at the teachers unions are properly catered to and they are. This is pure ego trip Warren v state legislators. Maybe George crumbles but the Indiana cost certainty outweighs the larger debt and Bears risk in Arlington Heights. Issue: Bears could choose Indiana over Illinois for their new stadium. Response: ThE TeAcHeRs UnIoNs ArE to BlAmE!!!!!! ThEy CoNtRoL IL ElEcTiOns!!!!!!! Edited February 6Feb 6 by 77 Hitmen
February 6Feb 6 Interesting discussion with Laurence Holmes on WGN TV with Tahman Bradley about the Bears stadium IL vs. IN saga: https://wgntv.com/video/104-3-the-scores-laurence-holmes-talks-bears-potential-move-to-indiana-the-point/11496735/ A few takeaways if you don't want to watch the 10 minute video: - Bears stadium deal with IL was a lot closer to being done than Bears were leading people to believe - IL officials surprised by the timing of Warren's letter given the progress they've made - Warren/Bears didn't have a good understanding of city/county/state politics officials and that hurt their progress. They have a better understanding now. - Holmes thinks a deal for AH will get done, but the chances of them moving to Indiana are not zero. Edited February 6Feb 6 by 77 Hitmen
February 7Feb 7 I read where the owners of the Arlington Heights racetrack paid $3 million a year in property taxes. I read where the Bears are now paying $16 million a year in property taxes at that site now. Its now being said that if the Bears build their stadium in Arlington Heights the property taxes will be anywhere between $100 and $200 million dollars yearly. How is that possible?
February 7Feb 7 24 minutes ago, WBWSF said: I read where the owners of the Arlington Heights racetrack paid $3 million a year in property taxes. I read where the Bears are now paying $16 million a year in property taxes at that site now. Its now being said that if the Bears build their stadium in Arlington Heights the property taxes will be anywhere between $100 and $200 million dollars yearly. How is that possible? It's not possible and probably why they will be in Indiana.
February 7Feb 7 49 minutes ago, WBWSF said: I read where the owners of the Arlington Heights racetrack paid $3 million a year in property taxes. I read where the Bears are now paying $16 million a year in property taxes at that site now. Its now being said that if the Bears build their stadium in Arlington Heights the property taxes will be anywhere between $100 and $200 million dollars yearly. How is that possible? The Bears currently pay $3.6 million in property tax in AH. They are playing games trying to win over the public. When all developed, the tax on the entire development will probably be more than $100 million abd the Bears want everyone to focus on that even though they won't be owning the entire parcel when that happens. What they are crying about is basically about what they will be paying Caleb Williiams almost per gane when this thing gets built. Edited February 7Feb 7 by Dick Allen
February 7Feb 7 28 minutes ago, Dick Allen said: The Bears currently pay $3.6 million in property tax in AH. They are playing games trying to win over the public. When all developed, the tax on the entire development will probably be more than $100 million abd the Bears want everyone to focus on that even though they won't be owning the entire parcel when that happens. What they are crying about is basically about what they will be paying Caleb Williiams almost per gane when this thing gets built. Thats not not what the Mayor of Arlington Heights said in the interview. He said the property tax was 2 million for the operating racetrack and 16 million for the empty lot. Also said the United center pays 6 million. Where did you get the 3.6 number? Interesting to see if the Mayor is making up numbers.
February 7Feb 7 On 2/6/2026 at 8:53 AM, Harry Chappas said: Elections in IL are joke. Nobody is losing their election as long at the teachers unions are properly catered to and they are. This is pure ego trip Warren v state legislators. Maybe George crumbles but the Indiana cost certainty outweighs the larger debt and Bears risk in Arlington Heights. If teacher’s unions have this much power, I should make way more money.
February 7Feb 7 1 hour ago, WBWSF said: I read where the owners of the Arlington Heights racetrack paid $3 million a year in property taxes. I read where the Bears are now paying $16 million a year in property taxes at that site now. Its now being said that if the Bears build their stadium in Arlington Heights the property taxes will be anywhere between $100 and $200 million dollars yearly. How is that possible? Because undeveloped (which it is now) vs developed is very different valuations.
February 7Feb 7 23 minutes ago, Y2Jimmy0 said: If teacher’s unions have this much power, I should make way more money. Me too!
February 7Feb 7 1 hour ago, Y2Jimmy0 said: If teacher’s unions have this much power, I should make way more money. 75% of your salary when you retire ain’t bad.
February 7Feb 7 1 hour ago, ptatc said: Thats not not what the Mayor of Arlington Heights said in the interview. He said the property tax was 2 million for the operating racetrack and 16 million for the empty lot. Also said the United center pays 6 million. Where did you get the 3.6 number? Interesting to see if the Mayor is making up numbers. https://www.lowermytaxes.com/blog/village-of-arlington-heights-and-taxing-districts-agree-to-tax-bill-with-bears/#:~:text=During the middle of December,the former Arlington International Racecourse.
February 7Feb 7 17 minutes ago, WhiteSox2023 said: 75% of your salary when you retire ain’t bad. I pay into it bi-weekly. Hopefully Illinois politicians don't spend it all before I retire.
February 7Feb 7 7 minutes ago, Y2Jimmy0 said: I pay into it bi-weekly. Hopefully Illinois politicians don't spend it all before I retire. They have already spent it.
February 7Feb 7 14 minutes ago, Y2Jimmy0 said: I pay into it bi-weekly. Hopefully Illinois politicians don't spend it all before I retire. Dont worry you'll get yours, its the rest of us that foot the bill. Also pretty much everyone pays into their retirement bi weekly (if they get the opportunity to at all) Edited February 7Feb 7 by Green Line
February 7Feb 7 9 minutes ago, Dick Allen said: They have already spent it. Good point. 2 minutes ago, Green Line said: Dont worry you'll get yours, its the rest of us that foot the bill. There's a big teacher shortage. Plenty of opportunities for you if we have it so great.
February 7Feb 7 10 minutes ago, Dick Allen said: They have already spent it. There’s always more money…
February 7Feb 7 7 minutes ago, WhiteSox2023 said: There’s always more money… Illinois has a flat tax, and a ridiculously low top rate. Allowing the state to raise the top rate would have solved a lot of problems and eased up on property tax hikes. But if we allow the government to raise taxes on the rich, what's next, making us slaves?!?
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