The Bears and White Sox Seek Billions in Public Funding for New Stadiums
The Chicago Bears and the Chicago White Sox are both seeking a hefty sum of public money to fund new stadium projects, totaling $4.6 billion and $2 billion respectively. The Bears plan to contribute $2.025 billion towards their new enclosed stadium on the Lake Michigan lakefront area, leaving Illinois taxpayers responsible for the remaining $2.6 billion. The White Sox, on the other hand, are looking for around $2 billion to build a new stadium just outside Chicago’s South Loop area.
These plans have sparked controversy and skepticism, with Governor J.B. Pritzker expressing doubts about the projects and their priority for taxpayers. The Bears and White Sox are also facing criticism for seeking public funding while still owing significant amounts from previous stadium projects. Taxpayers currently owe $629 million on renovations for Soldier Field and Guaranteed Rate Field, and the proposed borrowing for the new projects would include rolling over that debt.
Critics argue that the teams should be responsible for funding their own stadiums, especially considering the financial burden on taxpayers and the history of public funding for sports facilities. Despite the pushback, both teams are moving forward with their plans, which could reshape the sports landscape in Chicago.
