“With little support from Chicago or the state, any aid would probably be a local tax district to pay for roads and infrastructure… In Chicago, taxpayers are still paying $432 million plus interest of the $690 million it cost to renovate the Bears’ current home at Soldier Field in 2003” (Chicago Tribune/Emphasis Mine)
Hmm? Why would Chicago, or the state for that matter, provide support for the McCaskey Bears move to Arlington Heights? Inquiring minds want to know.
If the McCaskey’s want to build a new stadium in Arlington Heights and the town wants the stadium, why should Chicagoan’s tax dollars support it? Why should state tax dollars support it? We will be paying for the improvements to Soldier Field long after the McCaskey’s leave.
As I wrote before, the Bears had over three or four decades to build a stadium on available vacant land in the city, including the Chicago Riverfront. All that property is now being developed for housing and commercial enterprises, along with the necessary infrastructure. Instead of renovating Soldier Field, the McCaskey’s and the city could and should have built a new stadium to suit the needs of the team and the league.
The team owners and the city could have created a year-round entertainment venue and destination area with a domed stadium for year-round use. It would have spurred economic development in the areas surrounding the stadium and given the city a shot in the arm from various taxes and fees.
The Sox, Bulls, and Blackhawks stayed put and built new multi-use venues. The Cubs reworked Wrigley Field and helped turn the neighborhood into a destination and tourist area, with hotels and other venues. My only conclusion is the McCaskeys have no love for Chicago. They adore the suburbs and ex-burbs. That is where they live. They want to “play” in the same milieu as their homes.
The other reason is somewhat informed speculation. The McCaskeys are as miserly as their grandfather, George Halas. It was said Halas tossed around change like manhole covers. The McCaskey’s are cheapskates and chiselers. They want taxpayers to foot most of the bill for their stadium.
There are still tracts of land available in Chicago to build a stadium. There is money available through the NFL, as they helped fund other stadiums. The McCaskey’s would rather give an economic boost to a suburb than the city that made them. Yes, much of their fan base is in the burbs. They come to Chicago, along with out of towners, to spend money. That money creates various taxes and other revenues. Why should we support the Miserly McCaskey’s move? Their move is our loss.
The McCaskey Bears and family do not deserve one more cent from the city or the state. If Arlington Heights wants the Bears so bad, they can find their own way to support the new stadium. Let the burden fall on them and their taxpayers.
We suffered enough under the McCaskey’s.