The Illinois Legislature is busy advancing a bill that's one of the most egregious examples yet of the grift between professional sports teams and state and local governments.
Under House Bill 910, projects designated as "megaprojects" would have their assessed value frozen at a base-year level, effectively shielding all new construction from property taxation for up to 45 years. Just two developments would qualify for the maximum duration under the current language: the proposed Chicago Bears stadium in Arlington Heights and the One Central mixed-use development near Soldier Field in Chicago.
