Overview
- House Democrats, who unveiled a new draft late Tuesday after hours of caucusing, teed up a House Revenue Committee hearing Wednesday that could move the measure toward a floor vote.
- The megaprojects bill lets developers of $500 million-plus projects negotiate long-term payments in lieu of taxes for up to 40 years, with 50% of those payments reserved for property tax relief that sends 60% to local homeowner rebates and 40% to the state fund, and it bars data centers from using the incentive.
- Teacher unions pressed for protections to avoid losses for schools, and Chicago officials sought money to repurpose Soldier Field, in a chamber where a House rule requires 60 Democrats to back a bill before it reaches the floor.
- Indiana already approved a stadium authority and hosted Bears leaders at Hammond’s Lost Marsh site Friday, and the team has said it aims to choose between Illinois and Indiana by late spring or early summer.
- The NFL’s stadium committee will meet April 29 for a Bears progress update, raising the stakes as Illinois’ spring session ends May 31 and any bill must still clear the Senate and win the governor’s signature.