Categories
News

Letter to the Editor: April 27, 2023

Joe McMenamin
The Illinois Times

MISJUDGMENT

While greatly acknowledging the potential value of the sports complex, the $45 million in subsidies to the for-profit enterprise is a grotesque public policy misjudgment (“Field of dreams,” April 20). Further, the opportunity costs to our city are monumental, both financially and by taking our focus from more strategic civic goals for Springfield, rooted in our history and preexisting strengths.

On the night of passage, cosponsor Ald. Kristin DiCenso offered no fiscal analysis of the sports complex, despite our city ordinances requiring her to do so. Such analysis would have also disclosed the fiscal impact of the Mattoon sports complex entering construction sooner than Springfield’s. Clearly these sports complexes cannot all eat the same lunch.

Ward 7 Ald. Joe McMenamin

The Illinois Times