Pritzker revives Bears stadium talk in Chicago
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A Bears-Jets game at Soldier Field in October. Photo: Courtesy of Michael Ognisanti
The Bears stadium drama picked up steam again Tuesday night after a contentious debate between Illinois' gubernatorial candidates.
The latest: After the debate, Gov. JB Pritzker told reporters he hopes state lawmakers will approve a tax incentive plan that could keep the Bears in Illinois — either in Arlington Heights or Chicago.
- Wait, Chicago?
Why it matters: Pritzker's comments appear to reopen the possibility of a stadium within Chicago city limits, months after the Bears declared the city was no longer a viable option.
What they're saying: "I do think that we can give the Bears the option of being in the city of Chicago or being in Arlington Heights, and I think that's the best way to get this done," Pritzker said after the debate.
State of play: Earlier this month, Pritzker met with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, Bears minority owner Pat Ryan and Illinois legislative leaders to discuss keeping the team in Illinois.
- The governor's office called the Oct. 1 meeting "productive," although no breakthrough was announced.
Reality check: The Bears have indicated their focus is on Hammond, Indiana, not Chicago.
- Asked about Pritzker's comments, the Bears pointed to their June statement, which said that "there is not a viable site in the city."
Flashback: Mayor Brandon Johnson previously proposed building a new stadium on the Museum Campus, but Pritzker expressed concerns about the potential cost to taxpayers.
- A lakefront stadium could also face legal challenges.
Meanwhile: Johnson isn't giving up on keeping the Bears on the lakefront.
- "The city of Chicago is still the best and most viable place for the Chicago Bears to play," Johnson said at a Wednesday press conference.
- "I still believe that the lakefront is the best location, just because it's the top tourist destination in the entire state of Illinois."
Zoom in: Another proposal would be to build a stadium across the railroad tracks from Soldier Field at the former Michael Reese Hospital site in Bronzeville.
- But the Bears haven't expressed interest in that plan.
Friction point: Republican challenger Darren Bailey claimed during Tuesday's debate that Indiana Gov. Mike Braun assured him the Bears' move to Indiana was already a done deal.
- "I'm just glad I'm not going to be known as the governor that lost the Bears," Bailey said.
Between the lines: Pritzker also spoke about the stadium issue in the actual debate. He said his focus remains on protecting taxpayers.
The bottom line: Something may be shifting in the stadium negotiations, but whether that includes a return to Chicago remains an open question.
Editor's note: The story was updated to include Mayor Johnson's comments at his Wednesday press conference.