Bears float $5B stadium cost, 10-year timeline at Arlington Heights meeting

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Good morning, Chicago —

Here's the latest news from around the area.

Residents started lining up outside Hersey High School in Arlington Heights last night two hours prior to the Chicago Bears' tightly orchestrated public relations presentation. In front of a crowd in which many attendees wore Bears jerseys, the team's ownership put out a preliminary cost of at least $5 billion on the massive stadium project, which it says would take roughly 10 years to complete. How did residents respond? Read Mitchell Armentrout's full story on the community meeting here.

In other news, Gov. J.B. Pritzker yesterday accused Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and his office of being "wholly uncooperative" in communicating about the busloads of immigrants Abbott has sent to Chicago from Texas — an accusation that prompted a war of words between the two. "What's happening, what the governor of Texas is doing is disgusting, and it needs to stop," Pritzker said in comments that led to a sharp response from Abbott's office. Tina Sfondeles has more here.

And in one of today's Watchdogs investigative reports, our Tim Novak and Lauren FitzPatrick look at how UIC's handling of property leased to a private preschool has cost Cook County taxpayers roughly $1.2 million. The university never told county officials it was leasing to a preschool, which could be on the hook for over $800,000 in property taxes. So the bills went to a past tenant — which refused to pay the county over $400,000 in taxes but was allowed to renew its lease.

Get even more news below, and thanks for reading.

Satchel Price, assistant audience engagement editor

Bullish on the Bears? Arlington Heights open receiver of stadium pitch: 'I'm extremely excited to know they could be coming'

Residents started lining up outside the high school two hours prior to the team's tightly orchestrated public relations presentations. Many filed into the gym wearing Bears jerseys and carrying signs calling on the team to "rise to new heights in Arlington."

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Communication breakdown? Pritzker and Texas governor disagree who's ignoring whom in immigrant busing dispute

Gov. J.B. Pritzker complained Texas Gov. Greg Abbott's busing of immigrants is politically motivated and "disgusting." "Staffs have been in contact with one another, but they have been wholly uncooperative in Texas," Pritzker said. "They are trying to sow chaos around the country, not just here in Chicago."

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How UIC has cost Cook County taxpayers $1.2 million

The university never told county officials it was leasing to a preschool — which could be on the hook for over $800,000 in property taxes. So the bills went to a past tenant — which refused to pay the county over $400,000 in taxes but was allowed to renew its lease.

chicago.suntimes.com • Share