Bears Could Cost State $1.5B

Morning Edition

May 27, 2026

POWERED BY

The Bears stadium search grew even more complicated Tuesday after a new report found the team could receive more than $1.5 billion in tax breaks under proposed Illinois legislation tied to its Arlington Heights project. With only days left in the legislative session, the pressure is mounting.

—Eric Fisher

First Up

Mauricio Pochettino defended telling USMNT players they made—or missed—the World Cup roster through videos and emails. Read the story.
SEC coaches showed little agreement on whether the CFP should expand—or how large the field should become. Read the story.
The U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear the NFL’s appeal in Brian Flores’s discrimination lawsuit. Read the story.
U.S. President Donald Trump defended prediction markets as states continue fighting platforms offering sports-related wagers. Read the story.

Bears Stadium Saga Now Tied to Potential $1.5B Tax Break

Jon Durr-Imagn Images

The Bears could reap more than $1.5 billion in long-term tax savings from a “megaprojects” bill under consideration in Illinois, according to a new report from the Cook County treasurer. That finding could further complicate the already delicate politics of the NFL’s team stadium efforts there.

A study released Tuesday by Cook County treasurer Maria Pappas said the benefits of the bill under consideration are clear to the Bears, as it would allow the team to negotiate their own property taxes for a $5 billion stadium and mixed-use development under consideration in suburban Arlington Heights, and freeze the assessed value of that property for 25 years.

The upside for taxpayers, in the view of Pappas’s office, is far less clear, and could siphon away “money that would otherwise go to fund schools and other local governments,” the report read in part.

The study estimates that under the megaprojects bill, the Bears could glean more than $39 million in annual property tax savings on the new stadium, compared to paying on normal assessed values—with that break surpassing $1.5 billion in total value over 40 years.

“Huge real estate projects can create jobs, boost sales tax revenue, and provide other benefits to their surrounding communities,” the treasurer’s study continued. “But property tax breaks for megaprojects would, for decades, severely limit one key goal of economic development: expansion of the property tax base that provides relief to other taxpayers who get no tax certainty. … And if there’s no expansion of the property tax base and only limited sales tax benefits, how do taxpayers benefit? That’s the multibillion-dollar question.”

Down to the Wire

The latest report provides an extra wrinkle in what has already been a fractious political situation surrounding the Bears stadium saga. The team has long insisted it needs this megaprojects legislation to make the Arlington Heights site option work, as it would give critical cost certainty and aid the Bears’ borrowing to support private funding for much of the project.

The bill passed in the Illinois House of Representatives more than a month ago, but progress since then has stalled in the state Senate as legislators there have grappled with the ramifications, both politically and on individual homeowners. With just five days left in the Illinois spring legislative session, pressure around the megaprojects issue is quickly rising.

Meanwhile, a public back-and-forth has erupted between Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, in part stemming from the latter’s insistence that the Bears stay in the city. That stance from Johnson, and many state legislators from the Chicago area, is happening despite assertions for months from the team, league, and governor that the stadium choice is down to either Arlington Heights or a competing option in Hammond, Ind., that already has legislative approval.

Notably, Pappas intends to run for Chicago mayor next year.

The Bears have not commented on the county treasurer’s report. The team, however, has been consistent it intends to make a final stadium choice by early summer, and a lack of firm progress in Illinois would certainly heighten the chances of the Bears moving to Hammond. In addition to the megaprojects legislation, the Bears are also asking Illinois for $855 million in infrastructure improvements.

Last week at the NFL’s spring meeting in Orlando, league commissioner Roger Goodell said, “That [political] process is going on. The legislature in Illinois is obviously focused on that. They’re getting into the final days of their session. I’ve spoken to [Pritzker] recently. I think there’s a focus on trying to get something done there, and then they’ll have two viable sites that the Bears can make their decision from.”

For that to happen, though, the megaprojects bill during the next five days must not only clear the Senate but also go back to the House for reconciliation and then to Pritzker for his signature.

Fueling a Small Business Dream

For the Vintage Flying Museum, preserving aviation history is more than a passion project; it’s a small business that depends on staying connected every day. Alongside Spectrum Business, Front Office Sports multimedia reporter Pilar Rossi spent the weekend with executive director and Spectrum Business customer Chuckie Hospers to see how reliable connectivity supports the museum’s operations while helping bring bigger opportunities to life. From the museum hangar to Texas Motor Speedway, the story highlighted how Spectrum Business helps small businesses stay connected while fueling their dreams.

👉 Watch now.

ONE BIG FIG

The Pay Gap

PWHL

127

The number of PWHL players, out of 194 in total, who earn under $60,000 a year, according to a league salary report released Tuesday. Though 10 players in the PWHL earn more than six figures, with the Ottawa Charge’s Emily Clark the highest paid with a $126,090 salary, the majority of athletes earn significantly less than that.

This report makes the PWHL the first of the three major North American women’s pro sports leagues (PWHL, WNBA, and NWSL) to make each player’s salary public. Read the story.

Daily sports trivia: Can you rank the top five current NBA players by height, from tallest to shortest?

LOUD AND CLEAR

Life After PIF

May 14, 2026; Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, USA; Bryson DeChambeau reacts on the ninth green during the first round of the PGA Championship golf tournament at Aronimink Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

“One door closes, another opens.”

—Bryson DeChambeau said LIV Golf players are still optimistic about the league’s future as it looks for new investors after the Saudi PIF decided to stop funding the circuit after this season. DeChambeau said players were surprised by the move but still believe there is a future for LIV’s team golf model.

LIV has hired restructuring advisers and added new independent board members as it searches for outside funding and considers moving more of its operations to the U.S. DeChambeau, whose contract expires later this year, said he is trying to help the league while continuing to focus on golf. Read the story.

The Invisible Engine Behind Your Success

At Spectrum Business, we understand that your needs don’t observe standard working hours. We know that, like many, NASCAR is a 24/7 business. From late‑night prep to split‑second race‑day decisions, your success depends on systems and services that never clock out.

Spectrum Business—America’s Connectivity Customer—is your reliable partner for connectivity, going above and beyond the industry standard. In addition to tailored packages for a variety of budgets and secure operations, we offer round-the-clock human support and reliability.

Accountability isn’t a passive thing—it’s tested and proved night after night.