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FacebookOn December 31 I was putting the finishing touches on a story praising Mayor Daley for taking a strong stand against a state handout to the Cubs, while warning readers that his steadfastness was probably only temporary.
By January 3, when the story came out, Daley had already caved. "I have an open mind," Daley told Fran Spielman of the Sun-Times. "I always have an open mind on an issue. And why not?"
Let me tell you why not: there is absolutely no public benefit whatsoever to this deal. Under the proposal being floated by Zell, the state -- specifically, the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority -- would buy Wrigley Field for a nominal sum as low as $1, then undertake a revamp of the stadium, building new parking, concessions, seats, etc. (Already the Cubs have landed the city's permission for additional seating and advertising -- never mind the ballpark's landmark status.)
It's a great deal for Zell. By agreeing to fix up the ballpark, the state raises the value of the Cubs franchise, which is already valued at around $1 billion. And it's a good deal for whoever buys the Cubs. The new owner would not only be off the hook for construction costs but would save millions by being exempt from property taxes.
As for public benefits, the deal's backers say they would require the new owner to sign at least a 30-year lease with the state. Big deal. The Cubs aren't going anywhere, with or without a state handout. Ownership would be stupid to: Wrigley Field is a cash cow. No matter how inept the team is -- and the Cubs, famously, can be very inept -- the seats sell because people love going to the "Friendly Confines." They wouldn't have the same allegiance to a new ballpark. Just ask the White Sox, who only sell out when they do well, and sometimes not even then.
In exchange for this "benefit," we the taxpayers will lose at least $50 million in property taxes (and that is a very conservative estimate) over the next 30 years. And that's so that one billionaire can make more money selling to another billionaire, who will then make more money running the team.
Now that Daley's showing signs of giving in, the main hope for killing the deal falls to 44th Ward alderman Tom Tunney, who says he's reluctant to back a handout for Wrigley.
Stay strong, Tom.
I can't wait to see how the Trib sport writers and financial writers put the spin on this one. But after the pledge to not use taxpayer money to finance the Mayors distraction bid for the Olympics was broken within weeks of his reelection, you would have to be naive to be shocked by the Mayor's turn around.
My only question is when the finances of the City/County/State become so grotesquely out of balance (we are very near the tipping point) will the business community finally step up and fund the campaigns of some competent opponents to the political status quo - or will they just walk away and leave IL as a lost cause full of politicians who talk about 'rocking the system' or 'changing the way we do things' or ending 'pay to play' all the while acting completely the opposite?
I am beginning to think it is time to jump before the whole thing sinks. But we do have casinos on the way – that will solve everything - right?
a taste:
12/31/2002 $500.00 Samuel Zell to Citizens for Tunney
Zell wrote checks to Daley & Tunney and told them to go ahead and be skeptical for a few days, he'll understand
Is 500 dollars really going to matter to Tunney that much?
Was that appointment by the Mayor of Tunney to an aldermanic vacancy a life time appointment ? Or was that election last February just a figment of my imagination ?
If you don't live in the 44th, write your own alderman as well and voice your opposition. Tunney needs allies!
http://www.cityofchicago.org, click on "Your Ward and Alderman".
Don't forget to contact your state representative, state senator and the governor. Regardless of where you live in Illinois, you'll be paying for this!
http://www.elections.illinois.gov/DistrictLocator/...
What will the 'new' owners of the Cubs pay to lease Wrigley Field from the state?
And, would this amount, over the life of the lease, equal or exceed the total costs incurred by the taxpayers to repair their newly acquired property?
And would the state, being the owners of Wrigley Field, have the right to offer it's lease to other interested parties, should the Cubs' new owner(s) decide they don't want to pay the required lease amounts needed for the taxpayers to recoup their investment, if not profit from it?
Diane Dixon did not need money to beat a do-nothing Mike Chandler.
The 'money argument' is never a red herring.
Tom Tunney, or Tee Tee, as he's known to his friendlier constituents, has had the good fortune of being a guy in the right place, at the right time.
It's demographics that's kept him in office, demographics and his willingness to provide a certain segment of his constituents with what they desire, leaving the rest of us to our own devices.
A detailed scrutiny of the history of his actions and inactions will, no doubt, reveal the nature and substance of the kind of 'job' he's been doing.
Other than those residents planning on being former residents of the 44th ward, all the ward's residents should make the effort to research his 'record' of activities.
An historic vote
Tunney's opposition to the Zell-Wrigley deal may be motivated by self-interest. A proposed means of financing the deal involves the 1% tax on restaurant meals now levied by the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority for McCormick Place. Right now its northern boundary ends at Diversey, but the tax could be extended to Waveland Avenue or beyond -- and Tunney's Ann Sathers would feel the pinch.
http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/701566,CST-NWS-...
Regardless, encouragement not disparagement is needed. Moaning and groaning on forums like this one is not going to achieve anything. Action will. Voice your support of Tunney and contact your local and state elected officials.
Tunney's "opposition" will have just about the same viability as Daley's - a 1st round of quotes in the paper for show.
If you're thinking of running against Tunney and you see 5 bills from a billionaire in the disclosures, it's worth a lot more to Tunney than face value.
Zell is a Tunney campaign contributor. It's a relationship. It's part of the story that was not reported. The Trib called Tunney for a quote but apparently didn't ask questions like, have you discussed this with Zell?
Don't get angry, get even.
HAVE NO DOUBT, VOTE INCUMBENTS OUT
They have planned this for years. I don't think they need the city to bail them out or help them to build it, other than being able to buy that triangle shaped land from the city, which I'm pretty sure is a done deal.