Pritzker, Johnson Clash Over Bears Stadium

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker escalated Chicago’s long-running fight over the Bears’ next home on May 18, saying Mayor Brandon Johnson had “no plan” to keep the team in the city. The remark landed as the Bears continued to weigh two main options for a new stadium — Arlington Heights, Illinois, and Hammond, Indiana — and as lawmakers in Springfield faced a May 31 adjournment deadline on legislation tied to the suburban site. Johnson’s office pushed back, saying the mayor has continued to work on options to keep the team in Chicago. The dispute added a public rift between two top Illinois Democrats to a stadium search that has already stretched for years. ### What exactly did Pritzker say about Johnson? JB Pritzker told reporters in Chicago on May 18 that Johnson had “no plan” for how the Bears would remain in the city, according to the Chicago Sun-Times and other local outlets. Pritzker said he would like the Bears to stay in Chicago, but added that the mayor had not produced a workable path after three years in office. (chicago.suntimes.com) CBS Chicago and ABC7 reported that Pritzker also criticized Johnson as arriving “late in the game” as Springfield lawmakers considered the Bears’ preferred legislation for Arlington Heights. The governor’s comments came during the final weeks of the General Assembly’s spring session. (chicago.suntimes.com) ### How did Johnson respond? Brandon Johnson’s office rejected Pritzker’s criticism on May 18 and said the mayor has continued to pursue ways to keep the Bears at Soldier Field or elsewhere in Chicago. NBC Chicago reported that Johnson recently floated giving the city more control over the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority, the state-created body tied to Soldier Field. (cbsnews.com) Fox 32 reported that Johnson, speaking on WVON on May 19, jabbed back at Pritzker while continuing to argue the team should not leave the city. Crain’s Chicago Business reported on May 15 that Johnson’s idea involved a city takeover of the stadium authority, a proposal that faced skepticism in Springfield. (nbcchicago.com) ### Why are Arlington Heights and Hammond the two live options? The Chicago Bears have narrowed their active search to Arlington Heights and Hammond, according to WBEZ and CBS Chicago reports published in May. Arlington Heights has remained the leading Illinois option because the team owns the former Arlington Park property there and has sought state legislation to provide tax certainty for a domed stadium and surrounding development. (fox32chicago.com) Hammond has emerged as the Indiana alternative if Illinois does not produce a deal. Roger Goodell said after the NFL owners’ meeting in Orlando on May 19 that the Bears had two “viable” sites and that neither was in Chicago, according to NBC Chicago. That public framing from the league underscored how far Chicago has fallen behind in the current round of negotiations. (wbez.org) ### What is Springfield deciding before May 31? The Illinois House approved a megaprojects bill in April by a 78-32 vote, Capitol News Illinois reported, but the measure still needed Senate action and the Bears wanted additional changes. The legislation is tied to the Arlington Heights proposal and is intended to address property-tax treatment and related development issues the team has said are necessary for the project. (nbcchicago.com) The Chicago Sun-Times reported on May 21 that the Bears view May 31, the scheduled end of the spring session, as a crucial deadline for any Illinois package that could keep the franchise from moving its project to Hammond. Arlington Heights Mayor Jim Tinaglia has also said he remained confident Springfield leaders could still reach an agreement. (capitolnewsillinois.com) ### What did the Bears tell the NFL? The Bears briefed NFL owners in Orlando on May 19 about their stadium plans, CBS Chicago reported. The team’s presentation covered its push for a new stadium in either Arlington Heights or Hammond, not a Chicago site. ABC7 reported before that meeting that the Bears planned to update the league on Tuesday in Orlando as lawmakers entered the final two weeks of session without a final Illinois deal. (chicago.suntimes.com) Goodell later said he had spoken with Pritzker, according to WGN, as the process continued. (cbsnews.com) ### What happens next? May 31 is the next hard date in this fight because the Illinois General Assembly is scheduled to adjourn its spring session that day. If lawmakers do not pass a package the Bears can accept, the team’s leverage shifts further toward Hammond, while Arlington Heights remains alive only if Illinois leaders and the franchise can still agree on terms after session. (abc7chicago.com) (chicago.suntimes.com)