Pritzker revives Bears stadium talk in Chicago

Pritzker revives Bears stadium talk in Chicago

The Bears stadium drama picked up steam again Tuesday night after a contentious debate between Illinois' gubernatorial candidates.

The latest: After the debate, Gov. JB Pritzker told reporters he hopes state lawmakers will approve a tax incentive plan that could keep the Bears in Illinois — either in Arlington Heights or Chicago.

  • Wait, Chicago?

    • Why it matters: Pritzker's comments appear to reopen the possibility of a stadium within Chicago city limits, months after the Bears declared the city was no longer a viable option.

    What they're saying: "I do think that we can give the Bears the option of being in the city of Chicago or being in Arlington Heights, and I think that's the best way to get this done," Pritzker said after the debate.

    State of play: Earlier this month, Pritzker met with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, Bears minority owner Pat Ryan and Illinois legislative leaders to discuss keeping the team in Illinois.

  • The governor's office called the Oct. 1 meeting "productive," although no breakthrough was announced.

    • Reality check: The Bears have indicated their focus is on Hammond, Indiana, not Chicago.

  • Asked about Pritzker's comments, the Bears pointed to their June statement, which said that "there is not a viable site in the city."

    • Flashback: Mayor Brandon Johnson previously proposed building a new stadium on the Museum Campus, but Pritzker expressed concerns about the potential cost to taxpayers.

  • A lakefront stadium could also face legal challenges.

    • Zoom in: Another proposal would be to build a stadium across the railroad tracks from Soldier Field at the former Michael Reese Hospital site in Bronzeville.

  • But the Bears haven't expressed interest in that plan.

    • Friction point: Republican challenger Darren Bailey claimed during Tuesday's debate that Indiana Gov. Mike Braun assured him the Bears' move to Indiana was already a done deal.

  • "I'm just glad I'm not going to be known as the governor that lost the Bears," Bailey said.

    • Between the lines: The governor also spoke about the stadium issue in the debate. He said his focus remains on protecting taxpayers.

    The bottom line: Something may be shifting in the stadium negotiations, but whether that includes a return to Chicago remains an open question.