Two months ago, I drew a hard line in the sand: If Springfield was willing to cut a sweetheart tax deal for a professional sports franchise, then they had better deliver real, meaningful property tax relief for the families and job creators getting absolutely crushed in this state.
I kept that pledge and voted no when the Bears bill came before the Senate. Although the bill was not called in the House, this backroom Bears scam is nothing but raw crony capitalism on steroids. This is a rigged deal handed to billionaires while everyday taxpayers keep bleeding out on their skyrocketing property tax bills. It is corporate welfare dressed up as economic development, and I am sick of it.
I want the Bears to stay in Illinois. I want Caleb Williams and those Cardiac Bears delivering fourth-quarter miracles right here where they belong. But we will not sell out the hardworking people of this state to make it happen. The taxpayers who built Illinois are not an ATM for billionaires and connected politicians.
Springfield still has an opportunity to do this right: deliver real, broad property tax relief for every overburdened homeowner and small business owner.
I stand with the taxpayers of Illinois. Period.
