A new Chicago White Sox stadium could be one step closer to reality as the team’s chairman Jerry Reinsdorf is set to meet with legislative leaders in Springfield Tuesday in hopes of securing public funding for the project, multiple sources tell NBC Chicago.
According to sources, Reinsdorf Tuesday will meet with Democratic and Republican leaders as he seeks $1 billion to construct a new White Sox Stadium at “The 78” in the South Loop.
Crain’s Chicago Business first reported on Friday that the team was preparing to ask for $1 billion in public dollars, but that Reinsdorf had yet to meet with Gov. J.B. Pritzker. However, the report stated the White Sox have been in contact with state officials on the subject.
“The two [Reinsdorf and Related Midwest President Curt Bailey] are bullish they can win state support by arguing the stadium subsidies will bring along billions more in private investment, and the deal is structured in a way to not require new or increased taxes,” Crain’s reported.
Earlier this month, Pritzker commented of real estate firm Related Midwest’s latest stadium renderings, but expressed skepticism, noting that the state needs “to be careful with public dollars.”