The Hardest-Working Paper in America | 
Saturday, April 27, 2024
Mitchell_Armentrout.0.jpg

Mitchell Armentrout

Staff reporter

Mitchell Armentrout is a staff reporter covering government and politics from Chicago to Springfield, focusing on the expansion of gambling across Illinois as well as the Chicago Bears’ quest for a new stadium. He’s also a weekend and fill-in assistant city editor.

Renderings of the proposed new Bears stadium
Bears Stadium
Bears stadium costs? Add another $1.2 billion
The Bears put the figure at $4.7 billion. But a state official says the tally to taxpayers goes even higher when you include the cost of refinancing existing debt.
By Fran Spielman and Mitchell Armentrout
 
Democracy Solutions Project
Illinois Republicans grapple with mail voting amid mixed signals from Trump — 'We have to adapt'
A greater share of Chicago area Republicans cast their ballots by mail in March compared to the 2022 primary, but they were still vastly outpaced by Democrats in using a voting system that has become increasingly popular.
By Mitchell Armentrout
 
A rendering of a proposed domed stadium on the lakefront unveiled at Wednesday's news conference.
Bears Stadium
Bears reveal plans for $4.7 billion domed lakefront stadium development: 'This is not an easy project'
The plans, according to the team, will include additional green and open space with access to the lakefront and the Museum Campus, which Bears President Kevin Warren called “the most attractive footprint in the world.”
By Fran Spielman, Mitchell Armentrout, and 1 more
 
An artist's rendering of a revamped Museum Campus anchored by a new stadium for the Chicago Bears.
Bears Stadium
Bears eye taxpayers for stadium-related infrastructure costs. The bill? $325 million to start, $1.5 billion overall
Two additional infrastructure phases that would “maximize the site” and bring “additional opportunities for publicly owned amenities” could bring taxpayers’ tab to $1.5 billion over about five years, according to the team.
By Mitchell Armentrout
 
Migrants_Johnson.jpg
La Voz Chicago
El Concejo Municipal aprueba $70 millones en financiación adicional para la crisis migratoria
Por 30 votos a favor y 18 en contra, el Concejo Municipal aprobó la última ronda de financiación para una crisis que ha resaltado las divisiones raciales en la ciudad.
By Mitchell Armentrout
 
City Hall
Mayor Brandon Johnson's $1.25B borrowing plan sails through City Council
With interest, the plan could cost the city $2.4 billion over 37 years, officials have said. Johnson’s team says that money will be more than recouped by property tax revenue flowing back to the city’s coffers from expiring TIF districts.
By Mitchell Armentrout
 
Migrants_Johnson.jpg
City Hall
City Council OKs $70 million in extra funding for migrant crisis
By a 30-18 vote, the Council approved the latest round of funding for a crisis that has highlighted racial divisions in the city.
By Mitchell Armentrout
 
Rev. Frederick Douglass Haynes III points at Rev. Jesse Jackson as both sit and eat at a red cloth covered table at the Rainbow PUSH Convention, with a packed crowd seen behind them.
Politics
Rainbow PUSH leader’s quick exit underscores challenge of following Rev. Jackson: ‘It’s the most difficult job in Black America’
It’s unclear why the Rev. Frederick Haynes III, a Texas megachurch pastor, suddenly resigned Tuesday as president of the South Side social justice organization. But longtime observers say an out-of-towner was doomed from the start.
By Mitchell Armentrout
 
Starved Rock State Park’s southern entrance.
Politics
New name for Starved Rock State Park? State officials 'willing to open discussions'
Leaders at the Illinois Department of Natural Resources said this week there are “no immediate plans” to rebrand Starved Rock State Park in La Salle County, but officials are open to discussing a potential name change if Native American groups push for it.
By Mitchell Armentrout