A state board would provide oversight when the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority tries to enter into contracts worth more than $1 million under legislation filed by state Rep. Michael Zalewski, D-Riverside.
If the bill becomes law, the authority will be prohibited from entering, renewing or extending such contracts without first filing documents with the state's Procurement Policy Board. If the board does not object or take any other action — such as holding a hearing — within 30 days, the authority could proceed with the contracts.
"At a time when state revenues are so severely constrained, lawmakers cannot allow loosely affiliated government entities like the ISFA to frivolously spend taxpayers' money," Zalewski said in a statement.
Zalewski cited a recent Tribune/WGN-TV investigation that revealed the authority spent some $7 million for a restaurant outside U.S. Cellular Field in which the White Sox retain all profits. The team has since said it invested nearly $1 million as well.
Zalewski cited a recent Tribune/WGN-TV investigation that revealed the authority spent some $7 million for a restaurant outside U.S. Cellular Field in which the White Sox retain all profits. The team has since said it invested nearly $1 million as well.
The authority's board of directors met last week for the first time since it was revamped by Gov. Pat Quinn and Mayor Rahm Emanuel. But Zalewski said he was disconcerted that former board members were unsuccessful when negotiating with the White Sox.
"When that happens at an agency, it's sort of discouraging from a legislative standpoint when we're trying to scrape together and save every dime we have," he said, adding that perhaps future support from the procurement board would be helpful to the authority.
The authority has come under fire for a series of recent financial issues, including the disclosure that it did not have enough revenue to cover its payments for renovations toSoldier Field. Critics have also described the lease with the White Sox as too generous.
The authority was formed by the General Assembly to finance and build a new stadium for the White Sox and keep the team from moving to Florida.
Zalewski said he doesn't expect any action on the bill until the spring.
"When that happens at an agency, it's sort of discouraging from a legislative standpoint when we're trying to scrape together and save every dime we have," he said, adding that perhaps future support from the procurement board would be helpful to the authority.
The authority has come under fire for a series of recent financial issues, including the disclosure that it did not have enough revenue to cover its payments for renovations toSoldier Field. Critics have also described the lease with the White Sox as too generous.
The authority was formed by the General Assembly to finance and build a new stadium for the White Sox and keep the team from moving to Florida.
Zalewski said he doesn't expect any action on the bill until the spring.
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