Illinois Freedom Caucus Opposes Proposed Bears Bailout, Calls for Tax Reform Instead (Springfield, IL) – The Illinois Freedom Caucus is pushing back against legislation aimed at keeping the Chicago Bears in the state, arguing that a taxpayer-funded bailout for the NFL franchise benefits billionaires at the expense of everyday Illinois residents.
State Representative Blaine Wilhour (R-Beecher City) criticized the Pritzker administration and Democratic lawmakers for pursuing what he called “crony deals” instead of implementing meaningful tax reform.
“The government should not be cutting deals on behalf of billion-dollar corporations while taxpayers suffer,” Wilhour said. “The Governor and the Democrats have had years to put a plan together to keep the Bears. Their inability to negotiate is costing us all dearly and will cost property owners even more if this deal is accepted. Regardless, the reality is that Indiana is simply an easier and more friendly place to invest. No amount of billionaire sweetheart deals will fix our problems. Until Illinois gets serious about fixing the state’s anti-growth policies we will continue to be less attractive than our neighboring states.”
State Senator Andrew Chesney (R-Freeport) echoed those concerns, warning that the proposed legislation threatens working families already burdened by some of the highest taxes in the nation.
“Right now, working families are getting squeezed from every direction,” Chesney said. “We’ve got some of the highest property taxes in the country. We’ve got the highest cell phone taxes, the second-highest gas taxes, and one of the highest overall tax burdens in the nation. Illinois families are tapped out, and the Democrat answer is always the same: spend more, tax more, and stick you with the bill. Instead of fighting to make life more affordable, the billionaire governor and his far-left Democrat allies want you to bail out a billion-dollar NFL franchise and its billionaire owners. This mega project legislation is dangerous for property owners and taxpayers. We’re standing with working people. Republicans should not sign off on a taxpayer bailout for billionaire corporations.”
The Illinois Freedom Caucus said that while keeping the Bears in the state is desirable, using taxpayer dollars to secure their stadium or operations is not a viable solution. Instead, they are calling for broader reforms to make Illinois more business-friendly and competitive with neighboring states.
The proposed Bears legislation is expected to face debate in the coming weeks as lawmakers weigh the economic and political implications of a potential public bailout for one of the state’s highest-profile sports franchises.
Illinois Freedom Caucus Opposes Proposed Bears Bailout, Calls for Tax Reform Instead
