Bears stadium talks drag to final hours as lawmakers mull taxes on prediction markets, crypto to seal budget

Lawmakers in Illinois are prioritizing a $56 million budget with potential new taxes on digital advertising, prediction markets, and cryptocurrency over finalizing a stadium deal to keep the Chicago Bears in the state. The Bears' property tax incentive (PILOT) bill remains unresolved as the legislative session nears its deadline, with Governor JB Pritzker and legislative leaders emphasizing budget negotiations over stadium discussions.