Bears Ask For Review Of Order To Pay $5.5M In Back Taxes
CHICAGO (CBS) -- The Chicago Bears are asking a court to review an administrative law judge's ruling that orders the team to pay about $5.5 million in back taxes.
As WBBM Newsradio's David Roe reports, the team is seeking an administrative review of an earlier ruling that they must pay an additional amusement tax on the amenities offered to the holders of club and luxury suite tickets at Soldier Field, according to a suit filed Tuesday in Cook County Circuit Court.
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The $5.5 million represents the unpaid taxes, interest and penalties.
The Bears claim in their suit against Cook County that they have consistently paid the county amusement tax on the amounts charged to each ticket holder. But the county is holding out for the extra tax on the luxuries.
Cook County also hit the Cubs with a back tax bill, stemming from luxury suites at Wrigley Field.
The dispute stems from a disagreement between the teams and the county. Everyone agrees that admission-related fees are subject to the amusement tax, but the county says parking, food and other provisions in the luxury suite bill are also subject to the tax, the Chicago Tribune reported.
Cook County Commissioner Larry Suffredin (D-13th) told the Tribune in June that the ordinance was poorly worded, and he expected the case to end up in litigation, which turned out to be exactly what happened.
An administrative law judge ruled in favor of the county in September.
The Sun-Times Media Wire contributed to this report.
