Two cities are on the table for the next Chicago Bears stadium, and Chicago isn’t one of them.
Still, Mayor Brandon Johnson hasn’t given up, and he’s defending himself after Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker said he had “no plan” to keep the team in the city.
In recent days Johnson has pitched the idea of giving Chicago more control of the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority as a way to keep the team in the city, a move Pritzker criticized sharply on Monday.
“He has come up with no plan at all about how the Bears would end up in the city of Chicago, so that’s problematic. I’d love them to be in the city, but we’re three years in now, and he still has no plan,” Pritzker said at a news conference Monday morning.
The mayor’s office fired back Monday, saying Johnson does not support a privately owned stadium funded in any way by increased property taxes on residents while the Bears get property tax breaks.
“The City’s proposal remains the only plan centered on public ownership alongside a funding mechanism that does not burden property taxpayers while keeping the Bears in Chicago. We look forward to continuing to work with the legislature, the State, and all stakeholders to advance a solution that centers the needs of working Illinoisans while preserving the Bears’ future in Chicago,” a statement from Johnson’s office read.
The options for the stadium remain Arlington Heights and Hammond, Indiana, at least according to the Bears.
Illinois state lawmakers have less than two weeks to pass the megaprojects bill, the legislation the Bears want in order to move to Arlington Heights. It would give the team property tax breaks. The legislative session ends May 31.
State Sen. Lakesia Collins said lawmakers will be in Springfield through Saturday this week. She’s pushing for property tax relief for her constituents.
“There is a lot of discussion. We are looking at revenue. You have a lot us who want a progressive tax. I always tell people anything is possible. As the bill is right now, I’m just not there right now,” she said.
Arlington Heights Mayor Jim Tinaglia told NBC Chicago he’s confident leaders in Springfield will come to an agreement by the end of the session. He said the Senate is being careful and working together with the House to reach a deal both chambers are on board with.
The NFL owners are meeting Tuesday in Orlando, and the meeting will include a special briefing on the Bears stadium.
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