Pritzker, Mayor Clash Over Bears Stadium

Gov. J.B. Pritzker escalated Illinois’ fight over the Chicago Bears’ next home on May 18 when he said Mayor Brandon Johnson had “no plan” to keep the team in Chicago. Pritzker’s remarks came as the Bears and state lawmakers focus on legislation tied to a proposed domed stadium in Arlington Heights, while Indiana officials continue pressing a rival offer in Hammond. Johnson’s office answered the same day, saying City Hall’s approach is the only one that would keep the team in Chicago without shifting costs onto property taxpayers. The clash has pushed a long-running stadium fight into a more public dispute between two of the state’s most prominent Democrats. ### Why did Pritzker say Johnson has “no plan”? Pritzker told reporters on May 18 that Johnson had not produced a workable path for keeping the Bears in the city. “We’re three years in now, and he still has no plan,” Pritzker said, according to NBC Chicago and the Chicago Sun-Times. He also said the Bears had stated again that their only options were Arlington Heights and Indiana. (nbcchicago.com) The governor’s comments followed Johnson’s recent push to revive a Chicago option through changes to the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority, the state-created body tied to Soldier Field and Rate Field. Crain’s reported that Johnson floated giving Chicago more control over the authority as part of an effort to keep the Bears in the city. Capitol News Illinois said the governor appoints four of the authority’s seven board members, including its chair. (nbcchicago.com) ### What is Johnson’s answer to that criticism? Johnson’s office said on May 18 that the mayor does have a plan, and that it differs from the suburban and Indiana proposals because it would rely on public ownership and avoid burdening Chicago property taxpayers. In a statement quoted by NBC Chicago, the mayor’s office said the city’s proposal “remains the only plan centered on public ownership alongside a funding mechanism that does not burden property taxpayers while keeping the Bears in Chicago.” (chicagobusiness.com) Jason Lee, a senior Johnson adviser, told the Sun-Times on May 15 that Chicago should not be counted out because both rival sites still face obstacles. Lee said Arlington Heights would require a large property-tax break and about $855 million in infrastructure work, while Hammond also carries financing and site questions. (nbcchicago.com) ### Where do the Bears say the search stands now? The Bears said last week that “there are only two viable stadium locations under consideration — Arlington Heights and Hammond — and a decision is expected between the two later this spring or early summer,” according to the Sun-Times and Indiana Capital Chronicle reporting carried by IPM. That statement has become the clearest public marker of the team’s position. (chicago.suntimes.com) Chicago’s lakefront plan remains part of the public debate because the Bears unveiled a $4.7 billion proposal there in April 2024 alongside Johnson. The team said at the time that it wanted to build a fixed-roof stadium on the Museum Campus. But the current round of negotiations in Springfield and Indianapolis has centered on Arlington Heights and Hammond, not the city site. (ipm.org) ### What is Illinois considering for Arlington Heights? The Illinois House voted 78-32 on April 23 to pass a “megaprojects” bill aimed at helping clear the way for a Bears stadium in Arlington Heights. NPR Illinois and other local outlets reported that the measure would let developers negotiate property-tax payments through a payment-in-lieu-of-taxes structure with local governments. The Bears have said they still want changes to the legislation. (chicagobears.com) Pritzker said on May 19 that he had updated NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell on the legislation and that the details were now in lawmakers’ hands. He said he expected action before the legislature’s scheduled May 31 adjournment. ### What is Indiana offering in Hammond? (nprillinois.org) Indiana lawmakers approved, and Gov. Mike Braun signed, a financing plan that would direct about $1 billion in taxpayer support toward infrastructure for a Hammond stadium district, according to Indiana Capital Chronicle reporting published by IPM. The package includes taxes generated inside the district, a 12% admissions tax on stadium events, a higher Lake County hotel tax and a 1% food-and-beverage tax in Lake and Porter counties. (chicagotribune.com) The Bears have not publicly chosen between the two sites. The next concrete deadline is May 31, when the Illinois General Assembly is scheduled to end its spring session, and the team has said a decision between Arlington Heights and Hammond is expected later this spring or early summer. (nbcchicago.com) (ipm.org)