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One thing about big-money projects is they will always attract less savory people like flies to honey. Politicians getting involved was inevitable for the Chicago Bears as they attempted to get their plans for a new stadium off the ground. The original plan was to build on their new property in Arlington Heights. However, problems arose over the valuation of the land, and local schools attempted to increase property taxes. Team president Kevin Warren refused to budge on that point.
It appears some unsavory things have been happening in Arlington Heights. That includes a county tax review worker getting fired for calling out one of the decision-makers on the property tax issue for inappropriate conduct. Robert McCoppin of the Chicago Tribune shared some wild details.
In January, the suit stated, Steele asked Calabrese to write a memo to the full County Board summarizing submitted appraisals relating to the Bears’ appeal of the tax valuation of the former Arlington Park racecourse. Board of Review Commissioner George Cardenas said Steele prematurely released the board’s valuation of the property before it was finalized. She said Cardenas and Commissioner Larry Rogers, Jr., changed their minds after reaching an agreement. Ultimately, the Board of Review valued the property at $125 million, which the Bears are appealing to the state.
Calabrese believed soliciting advice from the County Board was inappropriate, and talked to the Board of Review’s general counsel about it. It appears Calabrese thought Steele was trying to seize some kind of control of the situation. She didn’t follow protocol and even her colleagues on the board called her out for said actions. Unfortunately for Calabrese, his unilateral decision ended up costing him his job.
After Calabrese was interviewed by the inspector general’s office in April, and wouldn’t disclose specifics to Steele, he was terminated less than a month later.
“Commissioner Steele’s actions regarding the Chicago Bears’ tax appeal

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