Just a Billion

Just the other day, Fata$$ was saying all sorts of things meant to inspire confidence from taxpayers about his priorities concerning a multi-billionaire getting a new stadium:

• The outreach by developers to the governor’s office marks a potential step forward in what could be an uphill push to bring a new ballpark to the vacant site known as The 78. On Friday, Pritzker continued to project caution on the idea of spending public funds on a stadium for the privately-owned team, beyond typical infrastructure costs, just as he repeatedly has in discussions of a new Bears stadium.

  “I set out what I think are the parameters that the taxpayers expect, which is why we need to be careful about how we use public dollars,” Pritzker said. “And a private business like a professional team, even if they’re beloved by so many people, are nevertheless similar to lots of other businesses in the state.”

Then the multi-billionaire said he expected to get....a billion dollars in taxpayer funds for his stadium:

• The White Sox are reportedly prepared to ask for $1 billion in public funding from the state to construct a new stadium at "The 78" near the South Loop, according to an extensive report from Crain's Chicago Business.

  Team owner Jerry Reinsdorf is reportedly confident in his chances of winning over the state's approval for his complex financial plan to fulfill the goal of building an entirely new Sox stadium, in collaboration with real estate firm Related Midwest, along the Chicago River.

  Reinsdorf has not officially met with Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, though the report made it clear the White Sox have been in contact with state officials on the subject.
  

So we have is a politician speaking out of one side of his ass, and Reinsdorf (or his people) letting it be known that he expects this politician to come up with a billion dollars in taxpayer funds for a stadium, while businesses and taxpayers flee Chicago and Illinois at a steady rate.