Yesterday on the Waddle and Silvy Show, Marc Silverman reported that the ongoing Chicago Bears’ new stadium saga could be nearing a resolution. He said that by the end of February, the Bears will hear from the state of Indiana with their final pitch, and that they’ll then take it to the state of Illinois to find out where the Land of Lincoln stands.
“The Bears have been at this for three years; they are frustrated, too,” Silverman said.
If Illinois says they can’t compete with Indiana’s offer, or if
they ask for more time, the Bears will strike a deal with the Hoosier State, and “they will take their bags and move to Northwest Indiana.”
Silverman said a resolution could be reached by the end of the month or early March.
“This is not… The Bears are using Indiana as leverage. Maybe to a point, but that’s not the basis of this. They’re getting a great deal in Indiana.
Give the two-minute and thirty-six-second clip a listen below for more details.
Silverman said the Bears would still prefer to build the stadium in Arlington Heights, and while this may not be a leverage play by the franchise, the latest news may have shaken Arlington Heights into action.
Check out this snippet from yesterday’s Daily Herald:
Touchdown Arlington, the coalition of business owners who support the team’s move to town, announced Tuesday plans for a public event “to show broad, visible community support” for tax break legislation that would bring a stadium and mixed-use district to the Arlington Park property. They’re cohosting it with Meet Chicago Northwest, the convention and visitors bureau covering the Northwest suburbs.
Dubbed “Springfield Kickoff: Bring the Bears to Arlington Heights,” the event is scheduled for 6 p.m. Feb. 11, at the DoubleTree Arlington Heights hotel.
Those scheduled to attend and speak include Mayor Jim Tinaglia and other elected officials from across the Northwest suburbs who will lobby for the so-called megaproject bill.
The Daily Herald reports that the team is looking at a property about a half-hour drive south of Soldier Field, just over the border near Wolf Lake in Hammond, Indiana.
Deadlines spur action, and with Indiana moving quickly to secure the Bears’ new stadium, the sense of urgency for Illinois is growing.
