While Indiana lawmakers propose spending $1 billion to build a new domed stadium for the Chicago Bears in the city of Hammond, much of that money would come from a series of tax hikes planned for the area around the potential stadium site.
NBC Chicago reports the higher taxes will include an additional 1% food and beverage tax surcharge assessed in Lake and Porter counties – the state already has a 7% tax on those items.
Lake County’s hotel tax would double from 5% to 10%, while a 12% tax would be slapped on all game tickets purchased at the stadium.
Furthermore, a special taxing district would be established in Hammond that would receive sales, use and income taxes within the district. Tollway funds would also be redirected to road improvements around the stadium.
However, the effort to lure the Bears over the state line is not a done deal. Bears CEO Kevin Warren said in a Crain’s Chicago Business interview that the team is still in talks with Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and state lawmakers on how to keep the team in the state.
“We continue to work with Illinois’ leadership and appreciate the progress being made,” Warren said.
If the Bears want to build a new stadium, they should pay for it all.
They appear to be following Chicago/”Crook” County’s model. Chicago already taxes Bears tickets at 12% in addition to a 9% amusement tax for “live performances”. Chicago also charges that 9% for streaming services like Netflix/Disney+/Spotify & Playstation (and they all rolled over and pay it). Add on Crook County’s 1%-1.5% admission fees, 4.5% hotel accommodation fee, 6% home share tax (rentals). It’s a wonder why they have a budget shortfall (Just kidding, we know why).