Illinois House rolls out revised Bears megaprojects bill with PILOT relief

The Illinois House unveiled a broader version of the Bears megaprojects bill, proposing that developers negotiate payments in lieu of taxes (PILOT) with local taxing bodies. Under the plan, 50% of PILOT receipts would go to property tax relief (60% as homeowner rebates and 40% to a state relief fund), with a five-year sunset and a prohibition on using PILOTs for data centers. The bill also includes expanded rail-yard redevelopment incentives and requires impact reports every five years. Senate review and Gov. Pritzker’s approval are still pending, with a House vote possible this week as lawmakers weigh the plan against concerns about tax shifts and long-term local revenue.