The political activities of Joe Ricketts, part of the Chicago Cubs ownership and father of Tom Ricketts, could, but probably won’t, kill city efforts to help the Cubs renovate Wrigley Field. Ricketts, who made billions after founding TD Ameritrade, has emerged as a major player in conservative politics, establishing a Super PAC seeking to limit […]
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Chicago politics at play: Tunney vs. the Cubs
They play rough in Chicago politics, as Tom Ricketts is finding out: Wrigley Field reno opponent Ald. Tom Tunney has received over $171,000 in campaign contribution from those opposing ballpark expansions. That’s a lot of money, even by big-city standards. The money is from the likes of Cubby Bear Lounge owner George Loukas (who also has […]
Cubs reno plan draws harsh criticism from key alderman
A plan to renovate Wrigley Field and add more signage has drawn pointed opposition from influential Ald. Tom Tunney, who says the interests of surrounding rooftop bleacher owners must be protected. In an interview with the Chicago Sun-Times, Tunney wasn’t particularly subtle in slamming Chicago Cubs ownership in favor of rooftop-bleacher owners, who have hosted […]
Cubs funding request: $500M in Wrigley Field improvements
A total of $500 million would be spent on Wrigley Field improvements if public funding comes through: $300M for the ballpark itself, $200M for a new triangle building next door. Crain’s Chicago Business is reporting some of the details of the plan. Public funding isn’t part of the so-called triangle building next door to Wrigley, […]
The Week That Was: April 22
Historic ballparks, new-ballpark issues in Wilmington, and Earth Day programs at Major League Baseball ballparks made news this week, as we review the most popular stories on Ballpark Digest, as measured in page views. Emanuel plan for Wrigley renovation: set aside landmark status MLB teams plan Earth Day activities Illinois baseball: Changes for 2012 O’Malleys […]
Emanuel plan for Wrigley renovation: set aside landmark status
The Rahm Emanuel plan for Wrigley Field renovations calls for the historic ballpark’s landmark status to be relaxed, allowing the Chicago Cubs to erect massive scoreboards and other signage in the Friendly Confines. The plan from the Chicago mayor and the Cubs ownership also calls for streets around the ballpark to be closed on popular […]
City, Cubs finalizing terms of Wrigley Field renovations
In a surprising assertion, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel says his city is close to a deal with the Chicago Cubs to help fund renovations to Wrigley Field. Cubs owner Tom Ricketts has repeatedly called for city or state help in renovating the Chicago landmark, which will be 100 years old in 2014. He’s pitched a […]
Mayor Rahm: No to city aid for Wrigley Field
Acknowledging that Wrigley Field needs a lot of TLC, incoming Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel says the city can’t afford to give up proceeds from an amusement tax to fund improvements to the home of the Chicago Cubs. The Cubs had floated a plan where revenue from the amusement tax would be diverted to pay off […]