Despite the threat of the Chicago Bears moving to northwest Indiana, it doesn't appear Illinois legislators will be focused on the team's new stadium project anytime soon.
The team has said it is exploring options outside of Illinois as Bears President and CEO Kevin Warren lamented their stadium project would not be a priority for state leadership in 2026.
House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch doubled down on that during an interview with City Club Chicago Tuesday.
"Listen, the Bears are an iconic franchise in the NFL. They're an iconic institution in the city of Chicago and the state of Illinois ... but I've got to tell you, and this is not to be insensitive to the Bears and their ownership, but when these folks are out knocking on doors right now, they're hearing people talk about the cost of prescription drugs, about the premiums of their health care insurance going up, grocery prices, rent. They're talking about things related to cost of living. I don't know anyone that has knocked on a door and someone said anything about the Chicago Bears," Welch said. "And I think we have to stay focused on the things that people care about right now. And when folks say, what's your priorities going into the legislative session, we're trying to bring down the cost of living. And talking about a brand new Bear stadium when this one's not even 25 years old, that's insensitive to what real people are going through right now."
The stadium comments come as the team heads into its first playoff game this weekend -- and once again as the Bears prepare to take on the Packers.
The bill the Bears are seeking is known as a “payment in lieu of taxes,” or PILOT, bill. The bill would allow for companies like the Bears to freeze property tax breaks obtained to help facilitate large-scale developments. The Bears would then be permitted to negotiate an annual payment with Arlington Heights officials in lieu of a standard property tax assessment and payment.
A bill governing megaprojects like new stadiums never gained traction during the fall veto session.
“We asked only for a commitment to essential local infrastructure (roads, utilities, and site improvements) which is more than typical for projects of this size,” Warren said in a letter to fans last month. “Additionally, we sought reasonable property tax certainty to secure financing. We listened to state leadership and relied on their direction and guidance, yet our efforts have been met with no legislative partnership.”
Warren has said the team would be unable to move forward with a stadium project without a PILOT bill in place and noted that "for a project of this scale, uncertainty has significant consequences."
Welch, on the other hand, said "good things take time."
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker has opposed 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 (D-IL), 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 said he is ready to work with them to build a new stadium. 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.”
"Honestly, I think the Bears are just negotiating and, you know, we're going to keep our doors open," Welch said. "We're going to continue to listen to what they have to say. We're going to let the legislative process play out."
773-610-6222
Service Areas
