Quinn: No Taxpayer Money for Wrigley Renovations

"I don't think that's in the cards at all," governor says on morning radio program

Gov. Pat Quinn said he doesn't think taxpayers have any responsibility, or the means, to help out with any renovations to the Chicago Cubs' aging ballpark.

"Our State has severe fiscal challenges so the very idea of the State of Illinois spending millions and millions of dollars on Wrigley Field, I don't think that's in the cards at all," Quinn said Monday morning on WLS radio's "Don Wade & Roma" show. "They bought the team and they should make the lion's share of the investment to fix up the park."

It's apparently the latest issue where the governor and Mayor Rahm Emanuel don't exactly see eye-to-eye.

Last week, Emanuel said talks between the city and the Cubs were moving forward and were in the "final stages."  He said a renewed version of the Friendly Confines would boost tourism in the city, but he maintains he's being a good steward with taxpayer dollars.

Cubs President Tom Ricketts has spent two years trying to figure out a way to revamp the stadium while using some sort of public funding.

In February, the ball club denied rumors about the Cubs playing at U.S. Cellular Field if the North Side team decides to perform a gut-rehab on its historic field in Lake View during the 2013 season.
 
Quinn and Emanuel have previously publicly disagreed on whether Chicago should have a downtown casino.

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