-- Connecting the dots between our economy, government and business --
Summary and audio linked here.
Chicago’s political leadership is floating a pension buyout program as evidence it is seriously addressing the city’s thirty-six-billion-dollar unfunded pension liability, but Mark Glennon, founder of the Illinois policy research organization Wirepoints, said that the proposal moves debt from one column to another rather than reducing it, and that the broader fiscal picture facing the city continues to deteriorate across every measurable dimension. Audio here.
Expect no retraction or apology. This what they do.
The state’s existing buyout program for its own pensions is the precedent for Chicago, which should be a warning: Look out for similar exaggerated claims and shoddy analysis.
Full interview and summary linked here.
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Hmmm….how will Lori and her team spin this? The city will bulldoze Soldier Field into the lake. Normally they’d dump all the debris in North Lawndale like they dumped the entire Dan Ryan a few years ago. This time we’ll be green. Dump it all in the lake for an artificial reef, stock the lake with tropical fish. The old white guys will be given 15 minutes to get the boats out of Burnham harbor or they’ll be given away.
Why would the Bears stay in Chicago lets no good reason
Who wants to go to Chicago anymore? Taxes on everything, water, bags, parking, food the list jut goes on and on, crime, corruption at every turn. People have had enough Chicago!
Rot in your own pile!
Unless the Bears are in cahoots with the seller I doubt this is a negotiating tactic. The seller I’m sure realizes the Bears may try to use this as a negotiating tactic. I would assume the Bears are required to immediately start all their studies, plans, surveys etc. or the contract is terminated and they would pay a break up fee probably had to put up some non-refundable earnest money too. This would be a very expensive negotiating tactic. I’d like to see the lease for Soldier Field to see what the ramifications are for the Bears and the city… Read more »
Yes, get out as fascist groot is not going anywhere – these fascists cannot be voted out due to the overthrow of our voting system by the city of london fascist leaders!
^This guy gets it. Never trust a Brit. You thought they’d stop with the war of 1812, Civil War, Federal Reserve Act or Fictionalization? Silly fools. They think they own you and this country. It’s time to kick their asses again, but now they sit in towers in NYC, congress and banks all over this land. Root them out.
While I applaud the move to Arl. Hts. and am happy Lori’s short tenure as mayor will leave a legacy of destruction (as every communist does), this move was likely going to happen with any mayor on the 5th floor. The option to purchase Arl. Park is a once in a lifetime opportunity. Arl. Hts is truly an amazing location with the perfect sized property, near public transit, next to highway 53, mere minutes from dining/bars/entertainment in downtown Arl Hts to the east and Palatine to the northwest. The Bears would own the stadium and every hotel, casino, dining, entertainment.… Read more »
I’m excited about the possibilities just from your message. Seems to make so much sense. Turn the page, get going Bears!?
Chicago is headed towards Detroit like status on roller skates
Chickens coming home to roost for the inept Chicago government/leadership. I got a belly laugh out the comment that Chicago has other lucrative revenues for Soldier Field: “We are not surprised by this move. We remain committed to continuing the work to keep the team in Chicago and have advised the Bears that we remain open to discussions,” a spokesperson for the mayor’s office said in a statement to The Athletic. “However, just as the Bears view this as a business decision so does the City. This season, Soldier Field signed a major contract with the Chicago Fire and just… Read more »
The recent Notre Dame Wisconsin game – a good college contest as the game was closer than the final score indicated – revealed the limitation of Soldier Field. It is small by NFL standards, and since it was built for track and field, is difficult to increase in size, especially with seats worth watching the game from. Chicago could overcome these infirmities by being business and cost friendly, but that is the least likely thing that will ever happen. I don’t think the Arlington play is a negotiation tactic. The Bears see it as vet viable- on a piece of… Read more »
Totally. This is done deal. There’s no turning back and it makes complete sense for the Bears from a business and viability standpoint. Why hold yourself hostage to the city forever? And no one can say “oh the Bears need to be in Chicago, it’s in their name!” — well there are many teams that don’t follow that. Cowboys, 49ers, etc…
The Green Bay packers are technically in Ashwaubenon despite having a Green Bay address IIRC
My grandfather played for Halas in the 20’s when pro football paid next to nothing. He and my grandmother lived across from Halas Hall in Lake Forest in a home built on land granted to them by the McCormicks (my great grandfather was their garden keeper). The McCaskeys treated my grandmother to dinner each year, especially when they learned that she was vigilant in saying no to reporters and who knows who else to visiting her attic to spy on practices! My grandmother, bless her, didn’t know a thing about football. And I really enjoyed when the Bears were trying… Read more »
Great stories. Thanks for sharing those!
Chicago treats every partner like a second class citizen, and acts as if they are doing them a favor. Even an incompetent organization like the Bears was able to come to the conclusion that they are better off without Chicago. Lori Lightweight is an arrogant little turd.
Lori, during her short tenure as mayor, has destroyed Michigan Ave, caused employers to abandon downtown, destroyed the brand name of our world renown Lake Shore Drive, allowed low income neighborhoods to be looted and destroyed to the ground, and now, loses the Chicago Bears. And the crazy thing is that they think they can just ‘flip a switch’ and expect the city to come back to life as soon as coronavirus goes away. And now they are suggesting vaccine passport. They don’t understand that a vaccine passport will only make things worse for the city. But then again, maybe… Read more »
Get out of Chicago!
Who cares?
Let’s get through all the bllsht! Who Pays? How are the costs structured? The Bears and the city! Two deadbeats negotiating
Cleveland had to learn the hard way.