Illinois might pay for Bears’ stadium – if they have winning seasons

A new bill in Springfield would require the Chicago Bears and other teams to have a few winning seasons before they can expect taxpayer help for stadiums.

The Chicago Bears should only expect the state to chip in for a new stadium if they first produce winning seasons. A new bill would require Illinois sports teams to put up winning seasons before getting taxpayer dollars for their stadiums.

House Bill 2969 would require teams to win at least 50% of their games in at least three out of five seasons if they want taxpayer funds for a new stadium or to renovate an existing one.

The bill would apply to all professional sports teams in Illinois, but the bill is dubbed the “BEARS Act” or Balanced Earnings And Record Standards. The Bears have only had one season at or above a .500 win percentage in their past five seasons, so they would have to wait a few years if the bill passes.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker called public funding for a new stadium “nearly impossible,” referring to the Bears and the Chicago White Sox as both have lobbied the state for financial assistance.

Chicago taxpayers are still on the hook for $589 million from Soldier Field’s redevelopment in 2002 and $50 million for building Guaranteed Rate Field.

The teams already get help with tax dollars. Chicago hotels pay a 2% tax which goes to funding the debt from both stadiums.

The bill was assigned to the House Executive Committee, where it must receive a vote before March 21 to advance.