Senator Bill Cunningham: Bears brought 'political complication' to stadium push
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What are the initial reactions to the Bears stadium situation?
We are happy to have on Vinny Rotino. Vinny, how are you?
I'm doing great. Thanks for having me on, guys. I tell you, I feel like I made it to the big leagues when I get on the score and get on your show. I appreciate you guys having me.
So now we have to continue to listen. You know, I've already had meetings already on my schedule that is going to continue those conversations. I'm looking forward to hearing what folks have to say. I want to hear what the mayors have to say about the proposal that came over to the House. Share that information with our caucus. work with our leaders that are actively involved in this process, like Leader Cam Buckner. The work that he has put into this has been just amazing. And I'm extremely appreciative of Leader Buckner and the work that he's doing on this. And we have to make sure we're considering all of the factors.
That is House Speaker Chris Welch. This is Rahima Harrison Brody on 104.3 The Score. But I had State Senator Bill Cunningham on earlier, and we are listening to what he had to say because. Something about it wasn't right. We knew that, and now we're hearing it about the Bears stadium, not just from the state Senate, but also from other legislatures and also our callers. 312-644-6767 is our number. So let's continue, Marshall, listening to what Cunningham had to say because he explained why this didn't go well over the weekend at the Senate before the legislative session ended. Here's what he said about... Arlington Heights specifically, and how the Bears don't necessarily need state help in order to get the job done.
I think we lose sight of the fact that there is nothing stopping the Bears from breaking ground in Arlington Heights tomorrow and building a stadium. They can do that. There's no law prohibiting them from doing that. The village of Arlington Heights wants them. They can do that. The problem is they don't want to do that unless they get a massive tax break from the state of Illinois. So they've introduced the political complication to this matter. You know, I know people get frustrated with the politics of this. The Bears have introduced politics to this. They're a private business. They can build a stadium there tomorrow. They've chosen not to do that without the public support. That injects politics into the situation.
As far as Indiana is concerned, I'm just not sure. I visited the site. It's a 25-minute drive from my house in Beverly. It looks complicated, but I'm not a structural engineer or an environmental engineer. I don't know how viable it is. I think there are plenty of legislators who do think it's a bluff, and I think that did contribute to legislators not wanting to rush in and come up with some solution. But, you know, we'll see. There have been plenty of card players who have been forced to play a bluff hand. Maybe that'll happen with the Bears.
When he said there's plenty of legislators who do believe it's a bluff, that's really all it takes.
He also said, and this is a good reminder, there is nothing stopping them from building this stadium, and there hasn't been since they bought the land outright. They have the rights to the land.
Here's why I don't agree with that statement, because it oversimplifies the situation.
The thing that is stopping them... Joe Mansueto shows you that it is that simple. Tom Ricketts showed you it is that simple.
They are billionaire billionaires. They have cash flow. They have the money and the means to do so. Listen, they can't build in their... It would be financially irresponsible of them to build something paying the level of taxes that they have to pay without getting some kind of, whether it's tax certainty, whether it's tax breaks, whatever you want to label it, they feel like they need that to be viable going forward. I get that. I'm not saying they should get what they want as far as the number of dollars or a negotiated tax rate, but I understand why they're not building.
We know why they're not building, but that's why they need the help, which is why they have to ask.
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Chapters
5 chapters
1
What are the initial reactions to the Bears stadium situation?
0:01–4:39
2
What challenges are faced by the Bears in their stadium plans?
4:39–5:54
3
How does Senator Cunningham view the Bears' need for state support?
5:54–8:42
4
What are the political complications surrounding the Bears' stadium proposal?
8:42–11:04
5
Why do some legislators believe the Bears' plans are a bluff?
11:04–12:42
Speakers
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