Pritzker wants Bears legislation to move faster; tax questions loom large

(The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker says he would like the General Assembly to move faster on legislation for the Chicago Bears, but questions about taxation loom large over a proposed megaprojects bill.

When asked for an update at an event in downtown Chicago on Thursday, the governor said the discussions are still going on.

“We already have on the table a pretty strong, I would describe it as more than just an outline, it’s a scaffolding of a deal, like, everybody understands what the pieces of this are,” Pritzker said.

The governor said all 177 state legislators need to be in on the discussions.

“I would like the legislature to move faster, because I believe that would be good for everybody to get this done,” Pritzker said.

The megaprojects bill would allow any $500 million development in the state to pay a negotiated lower rate instead of the same property tax that other companies and residents pay, and it would allow the construction of the f...