State Proposal Sinking

Today's Tribune sports an article detailing the latest on the proposal by the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority to buy Wrigley Field.

The Trib cites a source who claims that the deal is flagging, though not completely dead. I hope it's wheezing out its last breath.

It seems the outcry over selling corporate sponsorship in some fashion has potential advertisers nervous. Not to mention the lack of backing from The Mayor, as mentioned in a previous Baseball Bathos post, due to the need to focus on more pressing government concerns (crime, education, the IL General Assembly facing a $750 million budget shortfall) and the lack of desire to divert sales tax revenue to this project. Daley is also reluctant to alter the landmark status, as would be required for the substantial upgrades (obviously this will have to be addressed in some fashion, but I assume Daley does not want it to be part of this deal).

I would love the old ballpark to get a new life, but not by getting the government involved in this manner. Given the infrastructure problems through the city and state, the long-term education problems and a slew of other economically-related social concerns, having the state get into this is asinine. Former Governor Jim Thompson, Chairman of the IFSA, should know better.

Perhaps that is too much to ask from the man whose political patronage packages ended up being declared a violation of First Amendment rights in the case, Rutan v. Republican Party of Illinois (1990) and who took over as CEO at big wig law firm, Winston & Strawn, in 1993. The same firm that represented IL Governer George Ryan pro bono in the "Licenses for Bribes" scandal that saw Ryan convicted on 18 counts, including racketeering and fraud. I won't even mention his connection with Conrad Black. I'm sure you can find out about it yourself.

The Cubs have bungled along just fine without the likes of Illinois politicians mucking it up for them. Regardless, who the hell would buy the team without the park, much less without the park AND knowing these schmucks are lording over it?