Illinois State Senator Andrew Chesney said on June 1 that he voted against a proposed tax deal for the Chicago Bears, maintaining his earlier pledge to oppose any special arrangements for professional sports franchises unless substantial property tax relief was provided to Illinois families and businesses.
Chesney said, “Two months ago, I drew a hard line in the sand: If Springfield was willing to cut a sweetheart tax deal for a professional sports franchise, then they had better deliver real, meaningful property tax relief for the families and job creators getting absolutely crushed in this state.”
He confirmed that he kept his pledge by voting no when the Bears bill came before the Senate. Chesney said, “Although the bill was not called in the House, this backroom Bears scam is nothing but raw crony capitalism on steroids. This is a rigged deal handed to billionaires while everyday taxpayers keep bleeding out on their skyrocketing property tax bills. It is corporate welfare dressed up as economic development, and I am sick of it.”
Chesney added that he wants the Chicago Bears to remain in Illinois but does not support doing so at what he described as taxpayers’ expense. He said, “I want the Bears to stay in Illinois. I want Caleb Williams and those Cardiac Bears delivering fourth-quarter miracles right here where they belong. But we will not sell out the hardworking people of this state to make it happen. The taxpayers who built Illinois are not an ATM for billionaires and connected politicians.” He further called on lawmakers to provide broad-based property tax relief: “Springfield still has an opportunity to do this right: deliver real, broad property tax relief for every overburdened homeowner and small business owner.” Chesney concluded by saying, “I stand with the taxpayers of Illinois. Period.”
Chesney was elected as a Republican member of the Illinois State Senate in 2023 representing District 45 after replacing former senator Brian Stewart, according to Senator Chesney’s office.
