Chicago White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf has officially unveiled the start of private funding for the team’s new stadium project. This announcement marks a significant step forward in the development plan, emphasizing the team’s commitment to securing financial support through private channels rather than relying on public funds.
Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch made it clear that taxpayers shouldn’t be footing the bill for a new White Sox stadium. This stance came after he toured a temporary baseball field at the future site, invited by the White Sox and Related Midwest, the developer of the project. The visit took place on Monday night, and the site is part of what they hope will become the team’s new home.
Welch, alongside all-star athletes like Bo Jackson, Ron Kittle, Harold Baines, and Ozzie Guillen, attended the event. Though the athletes weren’t playing, they participated in a panel discussion about the potential impact of the new stadium on the team and the city.
Despite praising the field and its skyline view as “beautiful,” Welch reiterated at the City Club on Tuesday that his position hasn’t changed—Illinois taxpayers should not be responsible for the stadium’s funding. “The reality is, we still represent the taxpayers of the state of Illinois,” Welch said. “How do you pay for it?”
The Sox are eyeing a move to a vacant lot in the South Loop known as “The 78,” located between Roosevelt, Clark, and the Chicago River. The team wants a new stadium built there, with state assistance to bring the vision to life. Welch, however, emphasized the importance of securing private funding for the project.
While Welch acknowledged the potential economic benefits for Chicago, calling the development “a great economic development project for the city,” he maintained that the educational event on Monday didn’t shift his view. He believes the developer should seek private investment first.
Neither the White Sox nor Related Midwest responded to inquiries from WTTW News regarding the event. Related Midwest had previously released renderings of the proposed stadium in February, promoting it as a project that would spur the creation of Chicago’s “next great neighborhood,” generate tens of thousands of jobs, and bring a state-of-the-art ballpark to the South Loop.
Earlier this year, White Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf met with state lawmakers in Springfield to lobby for their support for the new stadium. In a statement about his visit, the team expressed excitement about the economic potential of the project but emphasized their respect for the legislative process.
Other lawmakers who attended the event echoed Welch’s sentiment. State Representative Marcus Evans (D-Chicago) appreciated seeing the developers’ vision but said it didn’t alter his stance. “They can see a vacant lot and turn it into something special,” Evans said. However, he added, “It’s like seeing a new car—until I see the financing, I’m not ready to buy.”
Ultimately, both Welch and Evans agree that while the project has potential, the question of who will pay remains central—and, for now, they believe private funding should be the priority.
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