Higher priorities than Wrigley Field

I was born a few steps away at Illinois Masonic Hospital and as a young child grew up in the shadow of Wrigley Field.

I am a lifelong Cub fan (even though I split White Sox season tickets with friends). That being said, as a state lawmaker I must closely examine the concept of the sale of Wrigley Field to the Illinois Sports Facility Authority.

Such an expenditure of state dollars cannot come before a school construction program and infrastructure (roads and bridges) improvements in Illinois. We need a multibillion-dollar capital program in Illinois to repair potholes, crumbling roads, dangerous bridges and improve schools before we need to purchase Wrigley Field. Building and maintaining schools and improving our transportation network statewide are higher priorities right now than purchasing a baseball field - even if the beloved Cubs play in the civic treasure Wrigley Field.

Don't get me wrong, I want the Wrigley name to stay on the marquee at Clark and Addison as badly as any north-sider, but this state has serious economic issues on its plate right now.

Illinois has a long to-do list. Additionally, we need to reverse the state's massive budget deficit -- the largest in the nation -- before we embark on a state-financed purchase of the crown jewel of Major League Baseball.

Illinois needs to get its priorities in the right order!

I will put politics aside and play ball with Gov. Blagojevich on this issue.

Wrigley Field is a landmark and the third most popular tourist destination in Illinois. I agree with the governor that keeping the name Wrigley Field is also a priority. And I don't believe taxpayer money should be used to renovate Wrigley.

With due respect to new Cub owner Sam Zell and the Chicago Tribune, the bottom line is this proposal must be good for the taxpayer. And put money into the state treasury.

State Sen. Kirk W. Dillard

Hinsdale