Finance Committee approves $425M subsidy for site that includes Fire stadium

Despite myriad concerns, a City Council committee Monday overwhelmingly approved a $425 million tax-increment-financing subsidy to bankroll the public improvements needed to support a South Loop development anchored by a new soccer stadium privately-financed by the Chicago Fire. Ald. Pat Dowell (3rd), whose ward includes the long-dormant site, muscled the subsidy through the Finance Committee she chairs by successive votes of 30 to 1 and 26 to 4 after nearly three hours of debate and…