March 20, 2008

Illinois legislators cool to Wrigley sale

The Chicago Cubs plan to sell Wrigley Field to the state of Illinois and make it pay to renovate it isn't going so swimmingly, if interviews with state legislators last week are any indication. Among the comments:

"There should be no taxes involved in it. Plus, [team owner Sam] Zell has lots of money. So let him pay for it."

"Nobody, I don't believe, could convince me this is a good thing for the state of Illinois to do at this time."

"If the idea is state taxpayers should help renovate Wrigley Field so Sam Zell can make more money when he sells the team, I just don't see what the public benefit would be."

"Whatever [Zell] wants, I'm opposed to."

No word yet on when or if Zell or Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich will make a formal proposal to the legislature, but if comments like these are any indication, they should accompany it with some nice chocolates or something.