Video

Play

They’ll stay in denial and “Hear No Evil, See No Evil, Speak No Evil” as they will inevitably be taxed even more! 

Illinois and Chicago impose a combination of flat-rate state income tax, some of the nation’s highest combined local sales taxes, and elevated property taxes, alongside a slate of specialized city and state levies.

Tax Components (Soldier Field Related)

• Ticket Tax: Chicago imposes a 3% amusement tax on tickets sold for events at Soldier Field.
• Sales Tax: Purchases made inside the stadium—concessions, merchandise, and retail—are subject to Chicago’s sales tax, which is among the highest in the country.
• Parking Tax: Taxes are generated from parking lots during gamedays, with a portion of revenue often tied to city revenue streams.
• Hotel Tax: Out-of-town visitors attending games contribute to Chicago’s hotel accommodation taxes

The Chicago Park District has proposed a $630 million plan to renovate and convert the venue into a premier year-round concert and major event destination when the Bears leave. But the City of Chicago still carries over $350 million in debt and interest from the 2003 Soldier Field rebuild, which is primarily paid for by a 2% hotel tax and caused Soldier Field to be delisted as a National Historic Landmark.

Job Components (Soldier Field Related)

Chicago Bears home games generate thousands of part-time, event-based roles and seasonal positions in Chicago. These span gameday operations, hospitality, stadium services, and local businesses.

Games generate employment opportunities across the following roles:

• Stadium & Event Operations: Bears Gameday Team Members, guest services, ushers, ticket takers, and event security officers.
• Hospitality & Food Service: Concession workers, cooks, bartenders, and suite attendants managed by partners, delivery drivers, etc.
• Stadium Maintenance: Custodial and cleaning staff managed by companies such as East Lake Management.
• Local Neighborhoods : Public transit operators (CTA), parking attendants, rideshare drivers, and staff at neighborhood establishments (such as restaurants, local pubs, hotels, motels, and shuttle bus operators).

How Will Illinois and Chicago Make Up This Lost Revenue (Soldier Field Related)

With the highest (or second highest taxation in the nation) it doesn’t take a genius to figure out how this will be made up. It’ll be made up the way every other blue state/city makes up a loss. They’ll make it up with more taxation and fees. They’ll be forced to downsize by lowering the funding of expensive programs, infrastructure repairs/improvements, etc.

Self Fulfilling Prophecy

Several major corporations have previously relocated their global headquarters or significant corporate operations out of Illinois in recent years, primarily citing tax environments, regulatory climates, and regional safety concerns. Notable departures include:

• Boeing: The aerospace giant moved its global headquarters from Chicago to Arlington, Virginia, in 2022.
• Caterpillar: The heavy equipment manufacturer shifted its headquarters from Deerfield (and originally Peoria) to Irving, Texas, in 2022.
• Citadel: The multi-billion dollar hedge fund relocated its corporate and personal headquarters from Chicago to Miami, Florida, in 2022.
• Tyson Foods: The food company closed its Chicago and Downers Grove offices, consolidating its corporate staff at its headquarters in Arkansas in 2022.
• TTX Company: The freight railroad car provider relocated its headquarters from Chicago to Charlotte, North Carolina.
• Beam Suntory: The spirits and wine company moved its corporate headquarters from the Chicago area to New York City in 2022.
• PEAK6 Investments: The financial technology firm relocated its global headquarters from Chicago to Austin, Texas, in 2025.

Those in Chicago keep voting left … you got what you bargained for and will get even more!