Illinois State Representative Bob Morgan introduced a bill that would require professional sports teams to maintain a winning record to qualify for public financing for stadiums.
An Illinois lawmaker introduced a bill this week that proposes linking taxpayer funding for public sports stadiums to the performance of the teams. Illinois State Representative Bob Morgan introduced the 'Balanced Earnings And Record Standards & Stadium Oversight Expectations Act,' also known as 'The BEARS Act.' This legislation would mandate professional sports teams to maintain a .
500 win percentage or higher in at least three out of five regular seasons to be eligible for public financing for stadium construction, renovation, or maintenance. If a team's performance dips below .500, the bill stipulates that the club would be ineligible for future funding until they demonstrate sustained competitiveness over three seasons out of five. Morgan emphasized that the bill's primary objective is to ensure that taxpayer funds are allocated only to teams that exhibit a fundamental level of competitiveness. He further asserted that sports stadiums often fail to provide a substantial return on investment. The jobs generated are typically low-wage and temporary, and the purported economic benefits rarely outweigh the public subsidies.Morgan issued the following statement regarding the bill: 'Our primary goal with this bill is not to penalize teams, but to ensure that Illinois taxpayers' dollars are spent judiciously. No one desires to witness taxpayer funds squandered by billionaire team owners who are not investing in their teams' competitiveness. As families across Illinois grapple with the rising cost of living, we must exercise prudence in our expenditure of limited public funds, particularly when it concerns billion-dollar franchises. Illinois should be dedicated to channeling public investments toward Illinois residents, and subsequently, to teams that, at the very least, are performing at a competitive level.' While Illinois navigates an unprecedented period, with state funding facing constant pressure from the Trump administration, Illinois must remain vigilant regarding every dollar spent. While I do not endorse the utilization of taxpayer dollars for stadiums, this framework guarantees that, should funds be allocated, they are directed to teams providing the optimal return on investment. This is not about striving for perfection; it is about ensuring that the teams we invest in possess a realistic opportunity to succeed and deliver value back to the community.'
Sports Stadium Funding Taxpayer Dollars Team Performance Illinois Legislature BEARS Act
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