CHICAGO () — A proposed Chicago Bears stadium on the city’s Southeast Side is emerging as a major point of discussion as Illinois lawmakers prepare stadium legislation for the upcoming fall veto session.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell joined Bears President and CEO Kevin Warren and team chairman George McCaskey for a meeting with Illinois legislative leaders in Chicago earlier this week.
The talks come as officials promote the former U.S. Steel property on the South Side as a possible new home for the team. The 200-acre site is near 87th Street and DuSable Lake Shore Drive.
“There is something iconic about the Bears being in Chicago and along the lakefront. People picture the skyline, the lake and the Chicago Bears together,” Bailey said.
Plans for the proposed stadium include a north-end window intended to frame views of the Chicago skyline.
“When you consider the size of the property and the opportunity to build the retail and entertainment components people expect around a stadium, this site is about nine miles from Soldier Field,” Bailey said.
He added that the Southeast Side location would be significantly closer to Soldier Field than the Arlington Heights property already owned by the Bears.
READ MORE | Illinois lawmakers weigh stadium authority plan for Bears Arlington Heights option
Mayor Brandon Johnson said the city’s priority remains finding a way to keep the Bears within Chicago, regardless of which site is ultimately selected.
“Whether it is this property, the lakefront or another location in Chicago, what matters is that our stakeholders clearly have a stronger desire to keep the Bears in the city,” Johnson said.
The Bears said in a statement that they are still pursuing potential stadium sites in Hammond, Indiana.
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“The Chicago Bears remain committed to developing a world-class stadium and mixed-use district for our fans, the Chicagoland community and the team. We continue working with local and state leaders in Indiana to advance our Hammond stadium plans, while finalizing due diligence on two sites in the Wolf Lake area. At the same time, we appreciate Illinois leaders’ recent engagement as they explore legislation and welcome the opportunity to provide feedback. We anticipate productive discussions with both leadership teams in the weeks ahead. The club has a responsibility to examine every option available, and we look forward to creating a transformational project capable of attracting global events and generating jobs and economic growth throughout Chicagoland,” the statement said.
Bears officials are expected to keep discussing possible paths in Arlington Heights and Chicago, according to ESPN’s Ian Rapoport.
Indiana Gov. Mike Braun also issued a statement Friday.
“Indiana has put together an excellent proposal for a world-class stadium in Hammond, Indiana. Every negotiation has been conducted in good faith, with protections in place for Hoosier taxpayers. We encourage the Chicago Bears to make a full commitment to an Indiana stadium, as the state is nearing the point where it must direct its energy and resources toward the next opportunity.”
Gov. JB Pritzker said the stadium legislation under development could give the Bears the flexibility to pursue the Southeast Side project.
“The decision belongs to the Bears. Lawmakers are putting together a bill that would allow the team to choose where it wants to build in Illinois, and after that, the location will be up to them,” Pritzker said.
Pritzker said he hopes the legislation will be ready during the first week of the veto session, which starts Nov. 17, allowing lawmakers to vote on it during the second week beginning Dec. 1.
Bailey said the proposed stadium development could advance on an aggressive timeline if the necessary approvals are granted.
“Based on where things stand today, it would be reasonable to say the stadium could be ready for the 2032 season, but we would need to move quickly,” he said.
The legislation being considered would establish a new stadium authority to own the facility, allowing the Bears to avoid paying property taxes.
