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Chicago sports teams are pulling out the stops in an effort to
get public money for a new stadium. The White Sox invited
legislators and business leaders on a downtown boat tour this
week and docked at the site the team has proposed for a new
ballpark.
The team built a pop-up baseball field at the proposed site for
their new stadium. Lawmakers, including House Speaker Emanuel
“Chris” Welch, toured the site as discussions about public
funding continue.
“They come at us in a serial fashion, one after another after
another, makes it a little bit hard,” said Pritzker. “If they at
least have figured out amongst themselves what they are going to
ask for that is within the capabilities of the city and the
state that’s helpful, but I want to say there is not any
movement on this.”
The Bears have met with Pritzker about a new stadium complex,
possibly sharing a facility with the White Sox, and the Chicago
Red Stars women’s soccer team wants a new stadium as well.
The Bear unveiled plans for a new stadium project on the
lakefront in April 2024. Team officials said the entire project
could cost $4.7 billion with over $1 billion coming from
taxpayers.
Representatives from several groups gathered Wednesday to voice
opposition to the Bears’ proposed stadium project. The groups,
led by Friends of the Parks, have been critical of a number of
aspects of the project, including its lakefront location and
financing.
"While we would love the Chicago Bears to stay in the city, we
object to the fight they have selected and the ultimate cost to
our city and residents," said Gin Kilgore, interim executive
director of Friends of the Park. "Ensuring Chicago's lakefront
remains forever open, clear and free is not the responsibility
of one group, but the work of many."
Kilgore called expectations of massive economic growth from a
stadium “a leap of faith.”
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