Team president Kevin Warren stated he wanted to work out a stadium deal with the state of Illinois by 2025. This meant building it would be completed around 2028. It was an aggressive timetable, but one he felt was workable. We may finally know why the Chicago Bears are showing such urgency in their push to get this done. That became apparent over the past 24 hours when not one but two other franchises reached agreements with their respective cities on stadium deals.
It began with the Carolina Panthers, who secured $650 million from the city of Charlotte to renovate Bank of America Stadium. Given how the organization has looked in recent years, this seems like a surprising victory. Barely a day later, the Jacksonville Jaguars scored an agreement with the city for $625 million in public money to renovate Everbank Stadium. The renovation includes the installation of a new roof. While this is happening, the Bears seem to be spinning their wheel in efforts to bring the Illinois state government to the negotiating table.
The Chicago Bears don’t face the same dilemma as other teams.
Unlike Jacksonville and Carolina, they want a brand new stadium with all the infrastructure required to build around it. This isn’t a renovation plan like 20 years ago with Soldier Field. It is far more costly. Initial estimates are the Bears require $900 million in public money. Governor J.B. Pritzker has said from the outset that his regime has zero interest in entertaining such an idea. He’s more focused on other economic issues facing the state, particularly food and housing. Such a hard stance may have compelled the Bears to change course.
A recent report suggests they’ve made progress with Arlington Heights over the persistent property tax disputes with local schools. If a deal can be reached there, the Chicago Bears may move forward with the original plan. They already own the property, so they won’t need permission from the state to build there. The question is, how much pressure do they feel to get something done now that other teams are making progress? Warren is a competitive guy. He may wish to force the issue at some point soon.
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The situations of those 2 teams are night and day to the Bears. This state and city is broke thanks to a history of handouts and corrupt politics. I doubt the Bears offered any under the table money yet. That would get ‘r done even if it did Ef up the economy even more.
Warren should run for gov.
Maybe quit looking for another taxpayer funded handout to help your $6+ billion company make even more money than they already do, and start with writing a check to pay your debt on the 2002 Soldier Field renovation you demanded…you know, the debt that actually has a higher balance now than it did when it was first created? This has nothing to do with Illinois or Chicago politics. Pritzker is 100% correct in telling them to go scratch. If the Bears don’t like it, they are free to move wherever their little heart desires. It’s not like a new stadium… Read more »
Warren needs to get his face off tv and get something done. Lots of bla bla from him and a lousy lakefront proposal. Get out of the draft room and do YOUR job. Smoozing up to players is not his job. Leave the football stuff to Poles. Thats his job and he’s doing it. Warren has done nothing so far. Looks like a bad choice to be president of the Bears.
I never regret moving out of the city, county, and State there. Toxic politics creates a no-win situation for the Bears. Maybe a move to Indiana should be put on the table as well?
I don’t know. It’s a catch 22. You want to keep your fan base. But the government there is so corrupt that it may not be worthwhile. 2 governors in a row convicted LOL.