Illinois Governor Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Johnson Engage in Discussions for New Bears Stadium Amidst Indiana Overture
Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker has been in ongoing discussions with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and Chicago Bears executives to finalize an incentive plan aimed at keeping the team in Illinois. These meetings are focused on preparing legislation for lawmakers to consider during the fall session, which begins on November 17. The goal is to have the legislation ready for review and potential voting within the first two weeks of the session. State lawmakers have been working for months to craft a package that would encourage the Bears to build a new stadium within Illinois, countering an offer from Indiana for a publicly-funded venue near Hammond. The Bears' lease at Soldier Field is set to expire in 2033. While the team previously indicated a focus on Hammond and the old Arlington Park property as its only acceptable Illinois location, developer Related Midwest has recently released renderings for a potential stadium on a 200-acre site on Chicago's Southeast side, near the Illinois Quantum and Microelect...
