Taxpayers on the hook for $1.2 million after concert canceled

The city-state agency that manages Guaranteed Rate Field is out more than $1.2 million and has suspended its chief executive after canceling a concert it planned to host at the stadium, the Chicago Sun-Times has learned.

The Illinois Sports Facilities Authority spent about $1.6 million "toward retaining talent" for a concert expected to draw 30,000 people to Guaranteed Rate Field on Sept. 16, according to top ISFA officials and agency records obtained by the Sun-Times.

But the stadium authority called off the "Get In It Musicfest," and officials say they have been able to get back only about $350,000 of what they spent to try to put on the show.

The stadium authority's board chairman and its top lawyer told the Sun-Times the agency has hired a law firm to investigate what happened after the agency partnered with an East Coast company to promote the concert.

General counsel Maria Saldana said the company, Mike Daddy Unlimited, promised - but failed - to sign Sean "Diddy" Combs to perform at the concert here.

• For the complete story, visit chicago.suntimes.com.