Illinois officials say Bears still may stay despite team statement

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

(The Center Square) – Although the Chicago Bears say the team’s board of directors moved to advance plans for a stadium in Indiana, elected officials in Chicago say conversations are ongoing to keep the team in Illinois.

Bears Chairman George McCaskey and President & CEO Kevin Warren said in a statement issued Friday that the board voted to advance the stadium development project in Hammond, Ind., with the exact site to be selected.

“We believe a world-class stadium project in Hammond will transform the region, connecting Northwest Indiana to the South Side of Chicago through the Loop and across neighborhoods and suburbs stretching north of the city,” McCaskey and Warren stated.

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s office responded by saying the Bears have hindered their progress by shifting their position on a stadium location over the last six years and especially the last few months.

“Gov. Pritzker has always been clear that he wants the Bears to stay in Illinois and still remains open to a sensible solution that protects taxpayers,” the statement said.

Republican gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey said this is happening because Pritzker failed to manage the budget.

“The very fact that we don’t have the money and Indiana does proves everything. We’ve got the economy, we’ve got a great state, but J.B. Pritzker has failed to deliver for the people of Illinois,” Bailey told The Center Square.

On Feb. 26, Indiana Gov. Mike Braun signed legislation creating a framework for a new Bears stadium in Hammond. Indiana Senate Bill 27 provides for a 1% food and beverage tax in Lake and Porter counties, a 5% hotel tax in Lake County, a 12% ticket tax and the capture of new property taxes at the development.

State Rep. Kam Buckner, D-Chicago, sponsored megaprojects legislation that was approved by the Illinois House and stalled in the state Senate before the spring legislative session ended last Monday.

Buckner said Warren called to let him know the Bears would be releasing the statement regarding Hammond.

“He ended the conversation by committing to continue discussions around their pursuit of a new stadium in Illinois,” Buckner said in a statement.

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle said the county remains willing to engage with team ownership and state leaders to keep the Bears in Illinois.

“As those conversations continue, I am committed to solutions that protect taxpayer dollars while continuing to support the legacy of the Bears in our state,” Preckwinkle said in a statement.

A spokesperson for Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson said city officials would continue discussions until they see shovels in the ground in Hammond.

Illinois state Rep. Dan Ugaste, R-Geneva, suggested that the legislature would have to call a special session to keep the Indiana project from moving too far ahead.

“I’m gonna file something next week, as early as I can, and get something to see if maybe we can still get something done. There’s no reason a simple bill can’t pass and keep the Bears here in Illinois,” Ugaste told The Center Square.

Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch said Illinois remains open to ongoing efforts to secure the Bears, but it will take time to get it right.

Sean Reed contributed to this story.