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SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WLS) — Both Illinois and Indiana have taken legislative steps to entice the Chicago Bears to relocate from the city.
Although Illinois lawmakers are not scheduled to reconvene in Springfield for more than two weeks, discussions with the Bears are ongoing. In contrast, Indiana officials are pushing to finalize negotiations swiftly.
On Thursday, the House Public Finance Committee moved forward with a proposal to halt property tax increases for large-scale projects, such as a potential Bears stadium in Arlington Heights.
However, the Illinois House of Representatives adjourned without casting a vote on this proposal. They are not expected to return to Springfield until March 18.
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Illinois has yet to offer guarantees on infrastructure developments and stable property taxes. Meanwhile, the Bears are still undecided about their future location.
An amendment from Chicago-area state Rep. Kam Buckner outlines tax breaks on infrastructure the state would provide to entice the Bears to build in Arlington Heights, where the McCaskey family already owns the old Arlington Racetrack.
“I do you want the team to stay in Illinois. That’s very important to me,” Buckner said.
Illinois lawmakers say they’re not in competition with Indiana. They say they are moving at their own pace.
“We’re operating in our lane, and I think the Bears will see we are moving in the right direction,” Buckner said.
Gov. JB Pritzker spoke about the battle over the Bears on MS NOW.
“I am not going to be shaken down, and I have set out some very clear guidelines. And my guidelines are we are not going to fleece the taxpayers of the state of Illinois. We are not going to let the Bears do that,” Pritzker said.
The full House needs to approve the bill before Pritzker would sign it.
Arlington Heights residents and some Bears fans showed up in Springfield Thursday.
“The Bears belong in Illinois, period. George Stanley Halas would be turning over in his grave if he knew they would even get out of the city of Chicago let alone the state of Illinois,” Bears fan Marty Tadla said. “It’s the pride and joy of Illinois, Chicago Bears on the lakefront.”
Some opponents disagree, however. They believe the bill would be bad for taxpayers.
“This is likely the riskiest economic development program ever seriously propose, not just in Illinois history but in U.S. history,” said Brian Costin, with Americans for Prosperity.
The revised mega-project bill was supposed to be heard last week, but got canceled at the last minute.
Arlington Heights Mayor Jim Tinaglia said in a statement, “Thank you to our State Leadership, the Chicago Bears, and all of the local and regional partners who helped the Mega Projects Bill reach this important milestone. Based on the feedback we are receiving, we are very optimistic that the necessary support will be present for the Bill to pass both the Senate and House and advance to the Governor’s desk in the coming weeks. We look forward to continuing our work with the team and state leadership to advance this project. Let’s stay focused and keep our Pride and Joy in Illinois!”
Chicago’s chief financial officer was on hand Thursday to throw a “Hail Mary” pass to try to get Chicago back into the consideration. But it seemed to fall incomplete.
“This is a wake up call. Chicago is losing them. They’re not even in the running anymore. This is between the burbs and another state,” said Li Arellano, a Republican representing Dixon.
In Indiana, the state Senate passed a bill for a new Chicago Bears stadium in Hammond near Wolf Lake, 45-4.
“In Lake County, when one city rises, the entire region rises. This legislation positions Indiana, not as a spectator in economic competition, but as a contender,” said state Sen. Mark Spencer, a Democrat representing Gary, Indiana.
Gov. Mike Braun said on X Thursday afternoon he signed the bill.
“We made it clear from the beginning that Indiana is open for business. I’m thrilled to sign Senate Bill 27 to create the framework to build a new world-class stadium in Northwest Indiana,” he said. “Now let’s get this across the goal line.”
Before signing the bill, a confident Governor Braun appeared on ESPN’s “Pat McAfee Show.”
“Reasonable regulation, taxes, high wages, low cost of living. What more would you want?” Braun said.
Hammond Mayor Thomas M. McDermott Jr. said, “I want to congratulate Governor Braun for signing into law Senate Bill 27 that sets up the framework to bring the Chicago Bears to Hammond and Northwest Indiana. This is a historic day for our state. The Bears have witnessed over the past several months how efficient government works. From the statehouse to city hall, Indiana continues to be ready to get to work and make Northwest Indiana the Bears new home.”
“We would be honored to welcome the McCaskey family and Mr. Ryan to our partnership here,” said Indiana state Sen. Ryan Mishler, a Republican representing Mishawaka.
The city of Chicago is still technically in the running to keep the Bears.
The Bears said in a statement, “Indiana has taken important steps over the last few months, and we are grateful for the leadership reflected by Governor Braun signing SB 27, establishing the framework for a stadium development in Northwest Indiana. We continue to work on the necessary due diligence and appreciate the ongoing engagement with Indiana state and local leaders.”
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