SB2915 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB102 20353 AWJ 29209 b

102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2021 and 2022
SB2915

Introduced 10/13/2021, by Sen. Robert Peters

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

New Act

Creates the Public-Supported Professional Sports Facility Act, which may be referred to as the Monsters of the Midway Act. Defines "facility". Provides that an owner of a professional sports team that for most of its home games uses a facility that is (i) owned by a unit of local government or (ii) supported by unit of local government with taxes or tax reductions may not cease playing most of its home games at the facility and begin playing most of its home games elsewhere unless the owner: (1) enters into an agreement with the unit of local government that owns the facility or supports the facility with taxes or tax reductions permitting the team to play most of its home games elsewhere; or (2) gives the unit of local government that owns the facility or supports the facility with taxes or tax reductions in which the facility is located not less than 6 months' advance notice of the owner's intention to cease playing most of its home games at the facility and, during the 6 months after such notice, gives: (A) the unit of local government the opportunity to purchase more than 50% ownership in the professional sports team; (B) the unit of local government first refusal to the purchase the professional sports team; or (C) an individual or group of individuals who reside in the area of the facility the opportunity to purchase the team. Provides that the Act applies all leases, contracts, licenses, or other agreements entered into, extended, or renewed on or after the effective date of this Act. Effective immediately.

FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY

HOUSING AFFORDABILITY IMPACT NOTE ACT MAY APPLY

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning professional sports team facilities.

WHEREAS, Governmental financial support of professional sports teams is a common occurrence throughout the United States and the world; and

WHEREAS, While the public may have an interest in financially supporting professional sports teams though its government, professional sports teams often leave the community or state after receiving substantial governmental financial support; and

WHEREAS, Other governments (such as Ohio, in Section 9.67 of the Ohio Revised Code, and Germany, in the structure of its Bundesliga) have ensured that, if the government provides financial support for a professional sports team facility, the government retains an option for a vested financial interest in the team should the team move to a different community; and

WHEREAS, This State should likewise ensure that a local community retains an option for a vested financial interest in a professional sports team that the local community financially supports; therefore

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 1. Short title; references to Act.

(a) This Act may be cited to as the Public-Supported Professional Sports Facility Act.

(b) This Act may be referred to as the Monsters of the Midway Act.

Section 5. Definition. As used in this Act, "facility" has the meaning given to that term in Section 2 of the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority Act.

Section 10. Use of facilities for home games. An owner of a professional sports team that for most of its home games uses a facility that is (i) owned by a unit of local government or (ii) supported by unit of local government with taxes or tax reductions may not cease playing most of its home games at the facility and begin playing most of its home games elsewhere unless the owner:

(1) enters into an agreement with the unit of local government that owns the facility or supports the facility with taxes or tax reductions permitting the team to play most of its home games elsewhere; or

(2) gives the unit of local government that owns the facility or supports the facility with taxes or tax reductions in which the facility is located not less than 6 months' advance notice of the owner's intention to cease playing most of its home games at the facility and, during the 6 months after such notice, gives:

(A) the unit of local government the opportunity to purchase more than 50% ownership in the professional sports team;

(B) the unit of local government first refusal to the purchase the professional sports team; or

(C) an individual or group of individuals who reside in the area of the facility the opportunity to purchase the team.

Section 10. Applicability. This Act applies to all leases, contracts, licenses, or other agreements entered into, extended, or renewed on or after the effective date of this Act.

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon becoming law.