David Greising: The mayor makes a plea for his Bears plan, but Springfield is megaprojects bill-bound

"Mayor Brandon Johnson wants a bigger cut than Gov. JB Pritzker is offering from a state fund that provides money for Chicago and other municipalities to spend as they wish. Pritzker so far is holding his ground on that. Johnson wants additional funding for Chicago Public Schools. He wants a new statewide digital advertising tax. He wants city authority to levy a $1 fee on deliveries other than groceries and medication."

"With only three weeks left before the General Assembly adjourns, Johnson appeared in Springfield on Wednesday touting an idea that was dead on arrival the very day he unveiled it - in a splashy Soldier Field news conference, standing arm in arm with Bears' ownership - two years ago. That's right: With only three weeks left before the General Assembly adjourns, Johnson appeared in Springfield on Wednesday touting an idea that was dead on arrival the very day he unveiled it - in a splashy Soldier Field news conference, standing arm in arm with Bears' ownership - two years ago."

"That was the bold idea to build a new football stadium just south of Soldier Field - the proposal that died almost from the day it was unveiled. The Bears were expecting some $2.5 billion in state financing and infrastructure, yet hadn't consulted with Pritzker before publicly announcing their plans. The misstep marked a low point of Johnson's term as mayor. The Bears quickly moved on."

"Yet there Johnson was this week, calling for a taxpayer-owned Chicago Bears football arena, even though the House has passed a megaprojects bill custom-designed for an Arlington Heights stadium. And while the Senate likely will amend certain major parts - especially a proposed new 9% amusement tax that the Bears are said to reject - Pritzker last week threw his support behind the legislative momentum. The House plan is "within the framework" of what the Bears might accept, Pritzker said."

Mayor Brandon Johnson traveled to Springfield with limited expectations of securing state support. He sought a larger share of state funds for Chicago than Governor JB Pritzker is offering. Johnson also requested additional funding for Chicago Public Schools, a new statewide digital advertising tax, and authority to levy a $1 fee on deliveries other than groceries and medication. He additionally called for reviving a publicly owned Chicago Bears stadium. The stadium concept had previously been unveiled with little coordination and was quickly abandoned. Current legislative momentum centers on a megaprojects bill aligned with an Arlington Heights stadium, while Pritzker signaled support for that framework despite potential Senate amendments.

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