MAYBE "NICE" GUYS ALWAYS DO FINISH LAST

     NICE, the group pushing for a new Bears stadium complex in
Gary, IN, has acknowledged having no backup plan "as support for
a tax increase to pay for the project appeared to be waning" at a
forum last night.  Sue Ellen Christian reports in this morning's
CHICAGO TRIBUNE that NW Indiana officials face a constituency
"mostly opposed" to a .5% tax increase for a new stadium.  The
Lake County Council has the authority to pass the tax.  Three of
the seven members have already said they will vote no, and a
fourth is seen as unlikely.  NICE spokesperson Bill Wellman said
a rejection of the tax increase would be "the kiss of death" for
the stadium project (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 1/24).