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HB 2969

DA BEARS STADIUM OVERSIGHT ACT

104th Regular Session Introduced by Harry Benton and 7 co-sponsors

Public financing for stadiums hinges on teams meeting a 0.500+ record in 3 of the past 5 seasons, with transparency reports and penalties for misrepresentation.

Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee
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Bill Summary · HB 2969

Summary — "Balanced Earnings And Record Standards (BEARS) and Stadium Oversight and Expectations Act" (HB 2969)

Note: The supplied materials included text from multiple jurisdictions and bills. The core BEARS/stadium oversight language originates from an Illinois bill titled the Balanced Earnings And Record Standards (BEARS) and Stadium Oversight and Expectations Act (HB 2969, introduced by Rep. Bob Morgan). This summary focuses on that stadium oversight proposal.

Purpose

To make public financing for professional sports stadium projects contingent on a team’s recent on-field performance, increase transparency around public financing requests, and create penalties for intentional misrepresentation of eligibility or records. The goal is to protect taxpayer dollars and encourage accountability from teams seeking public financial support.

Key provisions

  • Eligibility threshold:

    • To qualify for any public financing (construction, renovation, or maintenance) a professional team must have achieved a .500 or better regular-season winning percentage in at least 3 of the last 5 regular seasons.
    • Expansion or very new teams (in existence fewer than 5 years) are exempt from the 3-of-5 requirement but must reach at least a .500 record in 2 of their first 5 seasons before applying for additional public financing.

  • Definitions:

    • “0.500 record” = winning percentage of 0.500 or greater (wins ÷ games played).
    • “Public financing” includes grants, loans, tax incentives, bond issuances, or other direct/indirect financial assistance from the State or local units.

  • Verification and reporting:

    • The Illinois Sports Facilities Authority (ISFA), in consultation with the relevant league, must verify a team’s performance history for the prior five seasons.
    • Before any public hearing on a financing proposal, ISFA must publish a report that includes: the team’s 5‑season performance record, the total public financing requested, and the projected local economic impact.
    • That report must be posted on the ISFA website at least 30 days prior to the public hearing.

  • Penalties and enforcement:

    • Teams that intentionally misrepresent their performance or eligibility may face a civil fine up to $500,000 and a ban on applying for public financing for 5 years.
    • The Illinois Attorney General may pursue enforcement actions for violations.

  • Other:

    • The bill contains a severability clause and is effective upon becoming law.

Who is affected

  • Professional sports teams in Illinois seeking state or local public financing for stadium construction, renovation, or maintenance.
  • Units of local government and state agencies that consider, approve, or provide public financing for stadium projects.
  • Illinois Sports Facilities Authority (administrative/oversight role).
  • Taxpayers and local communities that could be impacted by financing decisions.

Procedural / timeline notes

  • Reports required to be publicly posted at least 30 days before any public hearing on a financing proposal.
  • Eligibility is determined by the prior five seasons (with special rules for teams younger than five seasons).
  • Enforcement tools (fines and application bans) apply if misrepresentation is found.

Potential impacts / considerations

  • Ties public investment to competitive performance; may reduce risk of subsidizing chronically poor teams but could discourage public support for rebuilding franchises.
  • New or relocating franchises get limited initial flexibility but face requirements for subsequent financing.
  • Adds transparency by requiring public ISFA reports and league verification; could lengthen pre-hearing preparation.
  • Possible legal or political disputes over definitions, the ISFA’s verification role, or the scope of “public financing.”

Related bill

  • Companion / related measure noted: SB 1073 (per provided materials).

For the current official status and any amendments, consult the Illinois General Assembly or the appropriate state legislative website; the supplied legislative-action log included entries from multiple jurisdictions and may not reflect the final chapter history.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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