Northwestern’s new Ryan Field enjoys the school’s 1855 exemption from property taxes
Several aldermen recently made an initial attempt at getting around the school’s big exemption, but it didn’t advance.
The soon-to-debut $862 million Ryan Field in Evanston can bring to mind to the long-running dispute over Northwestern’s property tax exemption.
In 1855, the university got an explicit exemption from paying property taxes on much of its real estate.
Three Evanston City Council members recently tried to solicit public opinion on a way to get around that exemption. At the council’s July 27 meeting, they proposed this non-binding advisory question for the Nov. 3 ballot:
“Should the City of Evanston require nonprofit organizations with legislative charter property tax exemptions to pay an amount equivalent to property taxes when seeking council approval to use their property for commercial activities unrelated to its nonprofit mission, unless they receive approval from at least three-fourths of the City Council for each such use?”
The attempt failed after members split 4-4, failing to reach a required majority. Mayor Daniel Biss was not present to break the tie.
In November 2023, the council voted 5-4 to allow Ryan Field to host events, including up to six public-facing concerts a year. Biss, who’s now running for Congress, cast the tiebreaking vote.
Opponents of the 35,000-seat stadium argued that even six concerts could bring noise, traffic congestion, parking shortages and public safety problems to the surrounding neighborhood. Those concerns led to a 2023 lawsuit against the rezoning that remains unresolved.
As part of the talks with the city over the new stadium, Northwestern agreed to a 15-year, $150 million commitment to support city services and programs for Evanston residents. A Tripp-Umbach study show the stadium supports more than 2,900 jobs and will produce more than $12 million in direct fees to Evanston.
The new Ryan Field is slated to open eight weeks from today with the Wildcats’ Oct. 2 night game against Penn State.