CHICAGO BEARS
Illinois not yet eliminated from Bears stadium contention
The National Football League (NFL) is continuing to look at Illinois as the site of a possible future stadium home for the Chicago Bears. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell confirmed last week that he has met with members of the Illinois General Assembly on a potential stadium development package. While an Illinois location was not specified in the context of these talks, the Chicago Bears have an established real estate ownership presence in the northwestern Chicago suburb of Arlington Heights. An NFL stadium and surrounding developments, including hotels and other hospitality spaces, could be constructed on the site of the former Arlington Park racetrack.
Illinois state government currently stands as the primary obstacle to the Bears remaining in Illinois. While the Indiana legislature has taken energetic action to set up a Northwest Indiana sports authority, the Illinois House and Senate have taken no effective action to retain the Bears. The House and the Senate have discussed incompatible Chicago Bears bills, and no legal language to develop and build a stadium has passed both houses in Illinois’ state capitol. Furthermore, both the Illinois House and the Senate have adjourned for the 2026 election break, and they are not expected to resume their session work until November 2026.
Chicago Bears ownership has made clear that the team needs to be assured of the presence of adequate stadium-quality local infrastructure and property tax certainty in the location where the stadium is built. By developing a detailed infrastructure plan and proposal for a public-sector stadium that would be exempted from property taxes and leased to the Bears on favorable terms, the state of Indiana has potentially met this bar. The Illinois General Assembly, by contrast, has not achieved a parallel offer.
In contrast with the overall Illinois legislature’s inaction, two Illinois House Republicans, I and Martin McLaughlin, have filed bills to deal with the property tax and infrastructure needs of a major developer such as the Chicago Bears. House Bill 5802 (Ugaste) and House Bill 5797 (McLaughlin) both contain language to meet the NFL’s requested needs. In addition, HB 5797 and HB 5802 both provide property tax hold-harmless language for neighboring landowners and small businesses (mine also contains language to provide property tax reform for all Illinoisans). These were filed earlier this summer in part with the hope of getting the Democrat Supermajorities and the Governor to do something to keep a large economic development opportunity before it goes elsewhere.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Illinois to receive Meta settlement
Illinois is set to receive nearly $768 million as part of a legal settlement with Meta over allegations that Facebook and Instagram were designed to be addictive to children. Included in the agreement are new safeguards for young users, including time limits, stronger age verification, and expanded parental controls.
Read more about the Meta settlement from CBS News.
TRANSPORTATION
E-bikes are now subject to new State regulations
The signing of a new law has imposed new regulations on electric-powered personal mobility vehicles, as well as new challenges for Illinois law enforcement. The new law imposes age requirements and speed limits on e-bikes, dirt bikes, scooters, and e-skateboards, and authorizes local governments and private property owners to ban the devices from certain rights-of-way.
Senate Bill 3484 (P.A. 104-854) focuses on so-called “high-speed” e-bikes. These are personal mobility machines that can be throttled up to move faster than 28 miles per hour. Reclassifying these e-bikes as parallel to fuel-powered motorcycles, the new law requires their owners to have: (i) drivers’ licenses, (ii) vehicle insurance policies, and (iii) a State-registered ownership title. Once fully licensed, the owners will be authorized to ride these throttled-up e-bikes on public roads and highways.
The use of non-high-speed e-bikes will be governed by a less encompassing set of rules. However, juveniles up to and including age 14 will be completely forbidden from riding them in Illinois. Furthermore, their use on sidewalks is completely forbidden. 15-year-old Illinoisans will be in a transition zone that will allow them to use and ride the slower-speed (up to 20 mph) e-bikes.
The new law will become effective on January 1, 2027.
UPCOMING EVENTS
FREE Shred Event & Food Drive – Elgin
Join State Sen. Don DeWitte and me for a free paper shredding event and food drive in Elgin.
Please bring only unexpired and non-perishable food items for donation to the Food for Greater Elgin pantry.
Details:
- Please follow the flow of traffic and stay in your vehicle while staff members unload your documents for shredding.
- No electronics will be collected for recycling.
- Residential shredding only – limit of 3 boxes per resident.
- Event will conclude at 11 a.m. or once the shred truck hits capacity.
FREE Senior Health Fair – St. Charles
Join State Sen. Don DeWitte and me for a FREE Senior Health Fair on Tuesday, September 15, at the St. Charles Park District’s Pottawatomie Community Center.
Close to 50 vendors and agencies that cater to the needs of seniors will be under one roof to share resources. Refreshments will be served.