Illinois Governor JB Pritzker suggested on Monday that the state is making progress in talks with the Chicago Bears.
It comes as pressure is mounting for the state to act soon to fight attempts to lure the team to northwest Indiana.
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In just two days, a coalition of suburban leaders will gather to address what they see as the urgent need for the state to move during this legislative session to keep the Bears in Illinois. Attempts by Indiana to lure the Bears across state lines are not something the governor is taking lightly.
“I never take anything as if it’s a bluff. I mean, I’m always concerned about making sure we’re attracting businesses or keeping businesses in the state of Illinois,” Pritzker said.
With a bill moving through the Indiana State House that could pave the way for a publicly funded stadium for the Bears in Gary, time is of the essence for stadium fans at the site of the former Arlington Heights Racetrack, property the Bears now own.
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“I think if you look at the speed at which Indiana is working, the efficiency of their process, and the fact that both parties have seemed to come together around this in Indiana, we have to take it seriously,” said Ernie Rose with Touchdown Arlington.
Similar to a coalition meeting held last month, supporters of a Bears-funded stadium in Arlington Heights will come together Wednesday night to send a message to lawmakers in Springfield that they need to act this legislative session.
“We spent the last two years fighting over the possibility of Chicago against Arlington Heights. We’re not there anymore. If we’re going to keep the Bears in Illinois, we have one option, and it’s Arlington Heights,” said Rose. “Any mention of a Chicago stadium, at this point, is a distraction.”
The governor said discussions about the Bears moving out of Soldier Field to a new home in Arlington Heights are moving forward.
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“There’s a lot of discussion, a lot of ongoing conversation with the Bears, and indeed, frankly, progress that’s been made so I’m happy about that,” Pritzker said.
The Bears are seeking help with infrastructure needs around any stadium they build, along with a long-term deal on property taxes. Discussions with state leaders are continuing.
“And specifically, I think there’s a real possibility that a lot of the things that we put on the table to work with the Bears on are things that they’re willing to do to stay in the state of Illinois,” Pritzker said.
A key legislator, Kam Buckner, who is from Chicago, is still in favor of keeping the Bears in the city. He told ABC7 he believes lawmakers will indeed do something this legislative session.