City Rejects BOS Opposition as Plan Moves Forward

The Springfield City Council this week rejected a resolution opposing a proposed tourism authority tied to development at the Bank of Springfield Center, with the measure failing on a 5-5 vote after a debate that often centered on misunderstandings about the proposal.

The plan, outlined in Senate Bill 3499 and House Bill 910 and sponsored by State Senator Doris Turner, would create the Capital Area Tourism Authority to support a downtown convention hotel and expanded convention space.

While some aldermen raised concerns about control and funding, key claims made during the debate do not match how the proposal is structured.

The authority would not have taxing power, and officials have repeatedly said no Sangamon County taxpayer would pay higher taxes as a result of the project. Instead, the plan relies on revenue generated by visitors through hotel stays, conventions, and related spending, along with existing contributions such as land and prior planning work.

Turner has emphasized that point from the start. “This project is not an overnight sensation,” Turner said. “We have been working on this in a very deliberate and methodical manner for several years,” adding the proposal would move forward “without Springfield residents having to pay any new taxes.”

Sangamon County Board Chairman Andy Van Meter also addressed the funding model.

“This will be paid for by the people who use these facilities,” Van Meter said. “She’s crafted a program that assures us that there is adequate money here to get the job done, and she’s also crafted a program that’s assured us that we will not be raising taxes on local citizens of our community.”

Supporters say the project is aimed at bringing more conventions and outside spending into downtown Springfield.

Mike Coffey, chairman of the Springfield Metropolitan Exposition and Auditorium Authority board, said the city has long been limited by the lack of a connected hotel. “Listen, we need a headquarter hotel in the capital city,” Coffey said. “A five hundred person convention will generate about a couple hundred thousand dollars in spending in the capital city.”

Governance has also been a point of debate. Under the proposal, Sangamon County would hold a majority of seats on the authority. Supporters say that reflects the county’s role in the project because it owns the land and has done much of the early work to move the plan forward.

City ordinances would still apply, and the authority would not override local regulations.

Ald. Shawn Gregory raised concerns about representation, pointing to impacts on a majority-minority ward. But the legislation’s sponsor, Turner, is an African American Democrat who has represented Springfield and served majority-minority areas.

Other council members said the disagreement appears to stem from confusion about the proposal.

“I understand aldermen wanting to have engagement and be involved in projects that are happening in their wards,” Ald. Erin Conley said. “I think there may just be some kind of miscommunication, maybe a little misunderstanding, about what this act does.”

“We’re not ceding our authority,” Conley added.

Ald. Roy Williams said his concern is with the process, not the concept. “If the county wants to run a hotel, fine,” Williams said. “Where my problem comes in is how this is being done.”

The resolution ultimately failed by a 5-5 vote. Aldermen Shawn Gregory, Larry Rockford, Lakeisha Purchase, Jennifer Notariano, and Roy Williams voted in favor. Aldermen Erin Conley, Brad Carlson, Ralph Hanauer, and Jim Donelan voted against it, with Mayor Misty Buscher casting the 5th no vote. Ald. Jeff Cox was absent.

Meanwhile, the proposal continues to advance at the state level. It has already passed the Illinois House on a 78-32 vote and now heads to the Senate for further consideration.

Supporters say the plan gives Springfield a real chance to attract larger conventions, bring new visitors downtown, and support local businesses, all while avoiding new taxes on residents.