Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker says he wants Chicago Bears stadium deal done ‘as fast as possible’ as team meets with NFL
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WLS) — The Chicago Bears met virtually Wednesday with the NFL’s Stadium Committee to discuss the team’s two proposed stadium sites, according to ESPN sources.
The Bears presented an update on the Arlington Heights and Hammond sites.
The team confirmed to ABC7 that they did meet with the NFL, but did not confirm any more details about what was discussed.
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Per an ESPN source, the committee members agreed that these two sites are the only viable options and expressed a need to move the process forward “expeditiously.”
There was no vote taken, but the Stadium Committee will meet again within two weeks.
A source says that the committee also acknowledged the Illinois legislature needs to continue to work to move the process forward.
Governor JB Pritzker said a bill passed by the Illinois House could be acceptable to the Chicago Bears.
Gov. JB Pritzker said a bill passed by the Illinois House could be acceptable to the team.
Pritzker said the megaprojects legislation passed by the Illinois House is within the framework of a deal that the Bears would be willing to agree to for their new stadium.
The Illinois bill passed the House last week, with 10 Republicans joining the Democratic supermajority in support. However, a few Democrats still oppose the measure.
The plan requires the Bears and other developers of so-called megaprojects to negotiate with local governments over payments in lieu of higher property taxes based on updated assessments.
Points of contention remain over a provision intended to give property tax relief to neighbors near a megaprojects site as well as the team wanting to ensure there’s no amusement tax provision.
The governor said he wants a deal to get done as fast as possible.
“We have to be competitive here,” Pritzker said. “We want to make sure that the Bears see Illinois as the best alternative for them and that they have something that they can make a decision about that’s in front of them. So as fast as possible is what I’m advocating for. And I realize that the legislative person, I’ve been around the legislative process enough to know that it is sometimes difficult to wrangle there 177 members of the General Assembly.”
The CEO of the Chicago Bears has said the team will have a decision on their new stadium plans by late spring or early summer.
Indiana has already passed legislation for a Bears’ stadium project.
Changes to the Illinois bill are expected as it now makes its way through the state Senate. The spring legislative session ends May 31.
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