Only days before what could be the team’s biggest game of the year, the Chicago Bears are sparking controversy by telling fans they may be considering a move…
The team announced Wednesday it is expanding its search to include NW Indiana, sparking controversy on both sides of the borderIn an open letter to fans, the Chicago Bears say they are expanding their search for a new stadium site to include northwest Indiana.
Only days before what could be the team’s biggest game of the year, the Chicago Bears are sparking controversy by telling fans they may be considering a move to Northwest Indiana. “The stakes for Illinois are significant: thousands of union jobs, year-round attractions and global events made possible by a fixed roof stadium that would provide long-term revenue for the State,” President and CEO Kevin Williams said in an open letter to fans.“We have been told directly by State leadership, our project will not be a priority in 2026, despite the benefits it will bring to Illinois,” Warren added. Warren said the team is expanding its search for a new home beyond the Arlington Heights property it has already acquired and is currently on the lookout for locations in the Hoosier State. In a statement Wednesday, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker called the announcement “a startling slap in the face” to loyal fans. He restated his opposition to using state money for the construction of the stadium. “The bottom line for any private business development should not come at the full expense of taxpayers,” Pritzker said. The Bears have said they will not seek public financing of the stadium itself, but rather for assistance in infrastructure improvements around the site in Arlington Heights, including new roads, utility construction and public transit.Pritzker and other state officials have said they are willing to negotiate those bills, along with possibilities of locking in property tax rates for the Bears and other large-scale projects in the state. There is still opposition to extensive subsidies for the construction. Illinois State Representative Kam Buckner , whose district includes Soldier Field, said he doesn’t disagree with the Bears assessment that “public dollars for a new stadium has not been a legislative priority.” At the same time, Indiana’s Governor Mike Braun took to social media to say he is ready to work with them to build a new stadium in Northwest Indiana. The Chicago Bears recognize Indiana’s pro-business climate, and I am ready to work with them to build a new stadium in Northwest Indiana. This move would deliver a major economic boost, create jobs, and bring another premier NFL franchise to the Hoosier State. Let’s get it…Sports Consultant Marc Ganis says Northwest Indiana has a new stadium authority created to entice a professional sports franchise like the Bears. “ Northwest Indiana is a far better option than some of the arrogant legislators in Springfield might want to believe,” he said. The Bears have said they plan to invest more than $2 billion in private funds in the Arlington Heights Stadium Project. What they want from the state is $855 million in public funding for infrastructure around the stadium and what they call “property tax certainty.”Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is still holding out distant hope the team, which owns the land it planned to build on in Arlington Heights, will take another look at Chicago. “The Bears belong in the city of Chicago,” he said at a Thursday news conference. “I have said the door is always open to conversations.”New Illinois Laws
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Bears expanding search for new stadium site from Arlington Heights to wider Chicago area, NW IndianaThe Chicago Bears are expanding their new stadium site search from Arlington Heights to the wider Chicagoland area, including Northwest Indiana, Kevin Warren said in an open letter Wednesday.
Read more »
Chicago Bears exploring possible new stadium sites in NW Indiana, team saysIn an open letter to fans, the Chicago Bears say that they are expanding their search for a new stadium site to include northwest Indiana.
Read more »
Bears CEO pens strongly worded message for Illinois as team explores moving stadium plans to IndianaThe Chicago Bears stadium saga took another turn as the team announced it will explore building outside of Illinois, citing legislative roadblocks.
Read more »
Bears mull move to Indiana with effort to secure public funding for stadium in Illinois stalledThe Chicago Bears say they’re mulling a move to Northwest Indiana with their efforts to secure public funding they say they need to build an enclosed stadium in Illinois stalled
Read more »
Bears mull move to Indiana with effort to secure public funding for stadium in Illinois stalledThe Chicago Bears say they're mulling a move to Northwest Indiana with their efforts to secure public funding they say they need to build an enclosed stadium in Illinois stalled.
Read more »
The Bears expand their stadium search to include IndianaThe Bears seem to be setting up an Illinois-Indiana tug of war.
Read more »