Quinn: Wrigley not on priority list

Quinn: Wrigley not on priority list
Flickr/Chris Brown
Quinn: Wrigley not on priority list
Flickr/Chris Brown

Quinn: Wrigley not on priority list

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As the baseball season continues, so do conversations about possible renovations to Wrigley Field. Elected officials like Mayor Rahm Emanuel have spoken out about funding to the field. But Illinois Governor Pat Quinn says he’s got more important things to focus on.

The Cubs owners, the Ricketts family, have been in talks with the city and the state over how to fund renovations. Emanuel said recently the discussion was nearing its final stages. He’s spoken out multiple times about the renvovations, always making sure reporters and residents know he’s got the taxpayers’ backs.

“I’m there to be a steward for the taxpayers, not one for the Ricketts family, and I know the difference,” Emanuel said Tuesday at an unrelated news conference.

Meanwhile, Gov. Quinn says he’s got other things to worry about.

“Let’s be serious. We just talked about medicaid and we have a budget we have to pass, we have to deal with pension stabilization, those issues are far, far higher on the priority list,” Quinn said Thursday.

Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts asked the state two years ago for $300 million dollars in bonds toward the renovations. Ricketts has said the team would pay Illinois back with an amusement tax that’s attached to ticket prices.