$5bn Bears battle nears climax as Illinois lawmakers told team will quit state if deadline missed
Indiana lawmakers have done everything they can to clear the road for the Chicago Bears to relocate across state lines
Their efforts may soon be rewarded with the Illinois legislature meeting next week to debate a potential tax break to encourage the team to stay.
The Bears’ first preference when leaving Soldier Field is a 326-acre plot the franchise has already purchased at the site of the former Arlington International Racecourse.
But bosses are keen to get things moving and Arlington Heights Mayor Jim Tinaglia warned that Indiana will win the race if a decision isn’t made by the end of March.
“Waiting until the end of May, I think, is a no-go for the Bears,” he said via Christopher Placek of the Arlington Heights Daily Herald. “They’ve already been through the [wringer] too many times.”
Indiana has already created an agency to facilitate construction and the allocation of public funds.
The Bears have vowed to pay for the $3.2 billion stadium, but want a commitment from Illinois to provide infrastructure on a project that is predicted to cost $5 billion in total.
“The Bears aren’t just kidding around,” Tinaglia added. “Maybe they would consider going to Indiana. Since that happened, it’s been a whole different tone.”
Whatever happens, the Bears will be leaving downtown Chicago and the NFL‘s oldest stadium behind.
Soldier Field opened in 1924 and plans are already being put together to ensure its future on the lakefront.
The Chicago Park District wants to create a massive concert and event venue at a cost of $630 million.
If Illinois lawmakers cannot reach an agreement next week, Indiana is ready to go having already unanimously passed bill SB-27, with the Bears expected to invest $2 billion in a state-owned arena.
“It represents a transformational investment for northwest Indiana and our state,” House Speaker Todd Huston told the House ways and means committee via IndyStar.
“The passage of SB 27 would mark the most meaningful step forward in our stadium planning efforts to date,” the Bears said in a statement, via NFL insider Ian Rapoport ahead of the vote.
“We are committed to finishing the remaining site-specific necessary due diligence to support our vision to build a world-class stadium near the Wolf Lake area in Hammond, Indiana.
“We appreciate the leadership shown by Governor Braun, Speaker Huston, Senator Mishler and members of the Indiana General Assembly in establishing this critical framework and path forward to deliver a premier venue for all of Chicagoland and a destination for Bears fans and visitors from across the globe.
“We value our partnership and look forward to continuing to build our working relationship together.”
Indiana Governor Mike Braun has taken to X to make his state’s case.
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“Indiana is open for business, and our pro-growth environment continues to attract major opportunities like this partnership with the Chicago Bears,” Braun wrote.
“We’ve identified a promising site near Wolf Lake in Hammond and established a broad framework for negotiating a final deal.
“If approved, the proposed amendment to Senate Bill 27 puts forward the essential framework to complete this agreement, contingent upon site due diligence proceeding smoothly.
“The State of Indiana moves at the speed of business, and we’ve demonstrated that through our quick coordination between state agencies, local government, and the legislature to set the stage for a huge win for all Hoosiers.
“We have built a strong relationship with the Bears organization that will serve as the foundation for a public-private partnership, leading to the construction of a world-class stadium and a win for taxpayers.”
The Bears hope to be in their new home by 2029, meaning it is time for talking to stop and shovels to hit dirt.
Many believe the Indiana option is a bargaining chip. We could be about to find out.
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