Overview
- House Bill 910, which advanced on Wednesday in a 78-32 vote, moves to the Illinois Senate and would set the rules for negotiated property-tax payments on large developments such as a Bears stadium in Arlington Heights.
- The amended plan would let certified developers negotiate fixed payments to local governments, route half of each payment to property-tax relief with a 60/40 split between nearby homeowners and the state fund, and add limits like a data-center ban, tiered time frames, and a temporary sunset for review.
- The Bears called the House vote progress but said Arlington Heights is not yet feasible and asked for more amendments and a clear plan to fund needed roads, transit, and other infrastructure.
- Senate sponsor Bill Cunningham said there is no rush to vote next week, and the NFL’s stadium committee plans an update next week as Illinois’ spring session heads toward a May 31 adjournment.
- Indiana locked in a competing option in February by creating a Hammond stadium authority and new local taxes, including food and beverage, hotel, and ticket levies, which gives the team leverage as talks continue in Illinois.