JB Pritzker Finally Provides Hope The Bears Stadium Saga Is Nearing Its End
The moment is at hand. Or at least it feels that way. The Chicago Bears have been eager to get the megaprojects bill passed in the Illinois legislature for years. Up until a few months ago, the state government had been unwilling to even hear. It looked like things were finally progressing at the start of this month, but things fell apart, and the legislature adjourned without even voting on it. That meant another few weeks of waiting until the end of the month, when the next opportunity arose. General feelings from the team’s side were that they were fast reaching the end of their patience. Another delay might force their hand, leading to a decision to leave for Indiana. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker got the chance to speak on the situation.
He was asked, following a speech on state agriculture, whether a potential vote is close, and he offered some hope. There is a clear sense of urgency among many in the government to get something done. The deal the two sides have put together is considered favorable by both, including the McCaskey family. The challenge now is to see if it gets the necessary votes in the House and the Senate over the next couple of days.
It sounds like JB Pritzker feels there is enough momentum now.
Up until recently, there was a lot of resistance down in Springfield to any deal with the Bears. For some, it was because they didn’t want to give a billion-dollar private organization tax breaks when the state is trying to keep people fed and housed. Others were resistant because they didn’t want the Bears to leave Chicago, feeling they belonged there. However, it’s becoming increasingly apparent that the move is happening. It comes down to a decision of whether people want to keep them in Illinois or let them leave for Indiana.
Considering the Bears have been an Illinois institution for over a century, it would not reflect well on the government to let them walk. That is why Pritzker seems confident the bill will pass. Still, this is politics we’re talking about. People always look to interfere in high-profile situations like this to serve their own ends. That is particularly true in Illinois. SM has been informed that there is optimism that a deal will come together shortly. Results should be expected by the end of Thursday.
Arlington Heights always felt like the endgame.
Make no mistake. Indiana was a very real threat. The Hammond location is just over the state border and still within sight of downtown. There is plenty of land to build on and renovate. The state was ready and willing to provide as much financial assistance as possible. However, Illinois has always been home. George McCaskey would never want his legacy to be the man who moved the Bears out of the state. Using Indiana as leverage finally forced JB Pritzker and the government into serious negotiations.
This took way longer than anybody wanted it to. Team president Kevin Warren deserves plenty of blame for hijacking the process and trying to get a downtown stadium built despite everybody knowing it would never happen. If he’d gone with the Indiana play sooner, the project might already be under construction. Here’s hoping everybody sees sense and puts this nightmare to bed.