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Illinois Reworks Bears-Linked Megaproject Bill After Review Finds Tiny Tax Relief

Chicago’s mayor presses lawmakers to protect city revenue.

Overview

  • The governor’s analysis, shared Monday, found a $20 million PILOT would yield about $1.29 per homeowner, pushing senators to rework the bill.
  • Mayor Brandon Johnson, visiting Springfield Wednesday, lobbied to shield Local Government Distributive Fund dollars and questioned tax breaks tied to a Bears stadium in Arlington Heights.
  • The House plan lets large projects replace decades of property-tax assessments with negotiated Payments in Lieu of Taxes, and it dedicates half of those payments to homeowner rebates and a state relief pool.
  • Senate leaders say they are drafting changes before the May 31 adjournment as the Bears weigh Arlington Heights against Hammond, Indiana, with a team update expected by late spring or early summer.
  • Regional mayors warn a proposed LGDF formula change would trim about $60 million from local budgets, while the governor’s office says dollar transfers stay flat and other state supports have grown.