By JIM TALAMONTI
Illinois Radio Network
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (IRN) — Government officials are preparing to close streets in downtown Chicago ahead of next month’s NASCAR race, funded in part by state taxpayers.
The $55.2 billion Illinois budget signed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Monday includes $5 million to Chicago for costs associated with operating expenses for NASCAR races July 5 and 6.
State Sen. Don DeWitte, R-St. Charles, questioned the Illinois Senate Appropriations Committee on May 31, hours before the General Assembly passed the record-high spending plan.
“So if it’s such a wonderful economic development program to bring these folks into town every year and it brings so much economic income to the city, why do we need to subsidize it?” DeWitte asked.
State Sen. Elgie Sims, D-Chicago, said NASCAR weekend in Chicago has an economic impact worth tens of millions of dollars.
“These are investments in communities. There’s our investments in our tourism. These are investments in showcasing our state,” Sims responded.
DeWitte noted that lawmakers also appropriated $1 million for 2026 Presidents Cup golf at Medinah Country Club and suggested that there were much more significant priorities for the state.
Chicago’s three-year deal with NASCAR ends after the races next month.
Mayor Brandon Johnson did not say what might happen next when he was asked at a recent media briefing, but he did thank NASCAR.
“They’ve done an incredible job working with the community all over the city of Chicago. The programming that they have provided, the investments that they have made have been solid,” Johnson said
NASCAR driver and Springfield native Justin Allgaier said transitioning to downtown Chicago in 2023 was interesting.
“Especially the first year, it wasn’t as easy or as seamless as ourselves or I’m sure that the folks who live in downtown Chicago would have liked, right? There were definitely some headaches with it, but I felt like last year, the event was extremely good,” Allgaier said.
Street closures and lane closures are scheduled to begin affecting downtown Chicago this week. NASCAR officials say they have reduced the total build time for the event from 43 days in 2023 and 38 days in 2024 to 25 days this year.
NASCAR Xfinity Series and Cup Series races in Chicago are scheduled July 5 and 6. NASCAR returns to Illinois Sept. 6 and 7 for Craftsman Truck Series and Cup Series races at World Wide Technology Raceway in Madison.
