About ISFA

The Illinois Sports Facilities Authority (ISFA) is a government entity created by the Illinois General Assembly in 1987 for the purpose of constructing and renovating sports stadiums for professional sports teams in the State of Illinois. ISFA is the developer, owner and operator of U.S. Cellular Field, home of the 2005 World Champion Chicago White Sox.

ISFA’s Board of Directors is jointly appointed by the Mayor of the City of Chicago and the Governor of Illinois, with the Governor also responsible for appointing the Chairman of the Board. The Authority’s Board of Directors is a diverse group of seven individuals whose varied experiences and range of qualities that enhance the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority’s stature in Illinois government.

The ISFA has implemented major renovations to enhance the facility, dramatically affecting the height, profile and feel of the ballpark for White Sox fans. They also worked together to debut the first environmentally-friendly parking lot, to be used by a major league sports facility. The new permeable paving parking lot, which spans more than six acres or the equivalent to the length of approximately four and half football fields, is the largest permeable paving parking lot in the country. The environmentally-friendly lot reduces the amount of water entering Chicago’s stormwater system, improves overall water quality and helps reduce the urban heat island effect.

The Chicago White Sox and Illinois Sports Facilities Authority enjoy a unique relationship in maintaining U.S. Cellular Field. The partners have implemented major renovations to enhance the facility, dramatically affecting the height, profile and feel of the ballpark for White Sox fans. They also worked together to debut the first environmentally-friendly parking lot, to be used by a major league sports facility. The new permeable paving parking lot, which spans more than six acres or the equivalent to the length of approximately four and half football fields, is the largest permeable paving parking lot in the country. The environmentally-friendly lot reduces the amount of water entering Chicago’s stormwater system, improves overall water quality and helps reduce the urban heat island effect.

ISFA has also provided the public contribution, a total of $406 million of the overall $606 million required, for the Chicago Lakefront Development project. This project, which included significant restoration to Soldier Field, was financed by ISFA through the issuance of municipal bonds backed by an existing two percent Authority hotel tax.

The Illinois Sports Facilities Authority is dedicated to furthering the mission of non-profits, particularly those organizations which focus on the education, health and welfare of area youth. ISFA regularly donates use of its facilities and surrounding property, such as the Conference and Learning Center, Scout Lounge and adjacent parking lots, to a wide variety of non-profit organizations and charitable entities. The Authority also has a ticket program where ISFA donates regular season White Sox tickets. In 2008, the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority distributed approximately 3,000 Chicago White Sox tickets to local, national and international non-profit organizations.

If you are interested in learning more about ISFA, please contact us.