A McCaskey House of Cards

This week, the Bears got what they wanted, a property tax bill that will save them in the neighborhood of $5 million a year in property taxes for their 326 acres in Arlington Heights. The village and two area school districts signed on, or gave in, whichever you prefer. Here’s the thing. How serious can the team be about building a $2 billion stadium there—not to be confused with the $4.7 billion one they want on the lakefront—if it’s so important for them to save a relative pittance on their tax bill? It all comes down to smoke and mirrors, the combination of which is intended to minimize project funding the McCaskeys will be responsible for. Lucky for state residents and any members of the General Assembly in need of a spine that the Munsters are their own worst enemy. Hardly anybody wants to go to bat for a 4-9 team on a seven-game losing streak. Ditto any team with a 41-121 record looking for new digs on the public dime.