The Great Windy City Debt: How Much is Soldier Field Costing Chicagoans (Besides Their Dignity in the Winter)?
Ah, Soldier Field. Home of the Chicago Bears, those lovable guys who always find a new and exciting way to break your heart in the playoffs (or, more realistically, never even make it there). But beyond the gridiron glory (or lack thereof), Soldier Field holds another title: Chicago's Monument to Municipal Money woes.
So, how much exactly does this architectural enigma cost the fine folks of Chicago? Buckle up, friends, because this number is about to hit you harder than a rogue Mitten thrown during a Da Bears game.
We're Talking Big Bucks (and We Don't Mean the Fans with Season Tickets)
The not-so-fun fact? Chicago taxpayers are still on the hook for a whopping $640 million for renovations made way back in 2002. That's right, folks, for the price of a small island nation (or a very fancy yacht), Chicago gets...a slightly less drafty Soldier Field.
Let's Break it Down (Because Numbers Can Be Fun...Sometimes)
Here's where things get interesting. That $640 million isn't all sunshine and stadium seats. A big chunk of it, over $250 million, is pure interest. Let's just say someone got a really good rate on that loan (although, considering it's coming out of taxpayers' pockets, maybe "good" isn't the right word).
So, What Does This Mean for the Average Chicagoan?
Well, that depends on your taste for deep dish pizza. Because let's face it, every dollar that goes towards Soldier Field debt is a dollar that isn't going towards fixing potholes, funding schools, or, you know, keeping the libraries open on Sundays (a travesty, in and of itself).
But Wait, There's More! (Because Apparently, the Debt Fairy Isn't Coming)
The fun doesn't stop there. The Chicago Bears, ever the fiscal wizards, are proposing a brand new stadium in Arlington Heights. And guess who they want to help foot the bill? You guessed it, the ever-obliging taxpayers!
So, What's the Punchline? (Besides Our Bank Accounts)
The truth is, there isn't one. Soldier Field is a monument to a bygone era of stadium financing, and Chicagoans are stuck holding the oversized foam finger (and the bill). But hey, at least we can take comfort in the fact that our beloved Bears will continue to provide us with endless entertainment, both on and off the field. Here's to hoping they can at least win a playoff game before the debt comes due...
