Source: State Money for White Sox Stadium "Dead on Arrival"
A legislative source and Governor JB Pritzker both threw water on the idea Monday that the state would put any financial support behind a new stadium for the Chicago White Sox.
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It does not appear a seeming quest by Chicago White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf to secure public money for a new, or significantly renovated ballpark is being met with open arms in Springfield.
“Dead on arrival,” one top legislator categorized the idea. “Not gonna happen.”
The state, through the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority, already owns what was formerly known as new Comiskey Park and U.S. Cellular Field, now Guaranteed Rate Field.
While the Chicago Bears have threatened to leave the city for Arlington Heights and have attempted to secure state incentive to do so, the Sox are less profitable source.
“If you thought the Bears were having a hard time [in Springfield], good luck to the Sox,” said the source. “There are too many priorities we can’t fund. There is no stomach to blow hundreds of millions on a new ballpark.”
Asked Monday at an unrelated news conference about the Sox stadium situation, Governor JB Pritzker said the state shouldn't pony up for a new stadium.
“Well, we certainly don’t want them to leave Chicago or Comiskey, but, as you know, I don’t really think the state should be involved in funding private teams. [I’m] always, of course, welcoming of any conversations with the Reinsdorfs and I know the White Sox are very important to everyone in the city of Chicago.”
Generally, it appears lawmakers are not rushing to the side of the Sox to help build a new ballpark.
