CHICAGO (WLS) — New insights have emerged regarding the Chicago Bears’ stadium ambitions, as shared by ABC7 on Tuesday.
In Orlando, NFL decision-makers gathered to address significant topics, among them the assignment of the 2030 Super Bowl to Nashville. With their eyes set on hosting a future Super Bowl, the Bears are concentrating on developing a state-of-the-art domed stadium. Team leaders took the opportunity to present their plans to NFL owners during the meeting.
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The NFL’s chief spokesperson revealed to ABC7 that there’s growing impatience among team owners for the Bears to finalize their stadium plans. However, the Bears’ progress hinges on state legislators who are still negotiating the mega projects bill. This legislation could grant property tax incentives crucial for establishing a new stadium in Arlington Heights.
Representatives from all 32 NFL teams convened in a brief session in Orlando, where Bears Chairman George McCaskey and Team President Kevin Warren provided an in-depth update.
The meeting served as a platform for the Bears to communicate their stadium and financial strategies, which are currently narrowed down to two potential locations. The first is a 326-acre former racetrack site in Arlington Heights, acquired by the team three years prior. The second option is a taxpayer-supported site near Wolf Lake in Hammond, Indiana.
As the legislative session enters its final fortnight, lawmakers are still in discussions to refine the mega projects bill, aiming to secure the necessary property tax reductions for a new stadium in Arlington Heights.
“We are focused very much on what’s good for the taxpayers when we’re making decisions about whether and how we’re going to incentivize the Bears to stay. We have a deal on the table with the Bears that works for the Bears and works for the taxpayers,” said Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker.
While Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson continues to insist there is a way to keep the Bears at Soldier Field, the team has made it clear they have moved on from that site.
Illinois state Rep. Kam Buckner, D-Chicago, said even though there has been a fight between the Pritzker and Johnson surrounding whether or not the Bears go to the suburbs or stay in the city, he has faith tgat the Bears will move in the right direction.
“This is part of the process,” Buckner said. “You know, politics ain’t being bad, and it is a contact sport, and it requires, I think, you know, some back and forth at times… At the end of the day, we have put together pieces of a package already that make it very clear that Illinois is a much better option than anything, you know, east of our border.”
The 32 owners are anxious for some answer from the Bears about where they want to build a new stadium, something that will require support from 24 teams in order for the Bears to move forward. Lawmakers hope to do what’s needed to keep the Bears in Illinois.
“Their job is to make this happen as quick as possible. Our jobs in the state legislature and the state government is to make sure we do it in the way that does not negate the fact that we are responsible to the taxpayers of Illinois,” Buckner said. “Our job is to continue to move this train along in a way that gives them the ability to make the proclamation I think that we know they need to make, which is that Illinois is their home.”
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell provided an update after the meeting concluded.
“There was a specific update on the Bears with respect to the two sites that they’re evaluating that are viable in the Bears’ mind and others and ours, both one in Illinois and one in Indiana,” Goodell said. “The legislature in Illinois is obviously focused on that. They’re getting into the final days of their session. I’ve spoken to the governor recently, and I think there’s a focus on trying to get something done there, and then they’ll have two viable sites that the Bears can make their decision from.”
That was the extent of the NFL update, other details that may or may not have been shared in the meeting were not disclosed. But the point that seems to reverberate from what Goodell said is that there are only two viable sites, and Chicago is not one of them.
Both Pritzker and Buckner expressed optimism that lawmakers will get a deal done for the Bears before May 31, when the legislative session end.
The Bears had no comment after the owners meeting ended on Tuesday afternoon. Warren has said the team will have a decision on new stadium plans by “late spring, early summer.”
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