SPRINGFIELD (25News Now) - Republicans, including lawmakers representing parts of Central Illinois, were quick to blame Gov. JB Pritzker and Democrats for driving the Chicago Bears away from Illinois.
GOP politicians released statements Friday saying the Bears’ decision to pursue a stadium site in Hammond, Indiana reflects Illinois’ poor business climate.
Gov. Pritzker’s office, meanwhile, claimed the Bears, especially for the last few months, shifted the goalposts on a stadium location. The governor’s office said he remains committed to a sensible solution that protects taxpayers.
State Rep. Travis Weaver (R-Peoria) released the following statement:
“Gov. Pritzker had years to find a solution to keep the Chicago Bears in Illinois. The potential loss of one of the most historic franchises in professional sports represents a broad reflection of Illinois’ business climate at-large.
Businesses in our state are dealing with exploding energy costs and property tax increases, along with overly burdensome regulations that add costs, delay progress, and make any deal a huge challenge.
When states are competitive, businesses and sports teams come knocking on the door to enter. When states stop being competitive, businesses leave for better opportunities.
Under Gov. Pritzker’s failed leadership, Illinois has seen that happen time and again. Yes, we need to keep the Bears. But more importantly, we need to make Illinois a place where organizations like the Bears want to be.”
State Rep. Bill Hauter (R-Morton) said the Bears made a rational decision to leave a “failing state.”
“I want the Bears to stay in Illinois, but they made the same rational decision thousands of Illinois families and businesses have already made. They must move out of our failing state to succeed.
I hold out hope that there is no finalized deal yet, but the incompetence and lack of urgency in our negotiations with a large iconic corporation has been astonishing - even by Springfield standards.
I’m here to tell you, months go by in the General Assembly without any real work being done then we run out of time to discuss the $55.9 billion budget or how we can keep the Bears in Illinois, it’s maddening.
The people of Illinois deserve so much better than this manipulated map majority that only understands how to redistribute other people‘s money rather than grow and keep business, development, jobs, opportunities and people in Illinois."
State Sen. Li Arellano Jr. (R-Dixon) said the Bears are the latest in the businesses, including Caterpillar, to leave Illinois for lower costs and greater economic opportunity.
“The Chicago Bears are one of the most recognizable institutions in Illinois. Losing them is a shameful reminder that over-taxation and mismanagement are killing our economy and our quality of life in Illinois.
For years, businesses and families have been leaving Illinois in search of lower costs and greater economic opportunity. We’ve lost Caterpillar, Boeing, Citadel, Tyson, and more. Now we have to watch one of the most iconic franchises in professional sports heading across state lines to protect its financial future?
Gov. Pritzker and the Democratic supermajority had years to address this issue. Instead, the discussion became completely centered on special tax arrangements rather than the broader affordability and competitiveness problems that affect everyone in Illinois. In the end, they could not accomplish either. This is a huge failure, and they should be held accountable for it.
The lesson here is far bigger than football, as much as I am loath to see an Indiana governor hoist the trophy after a Bears Super Bowl victory. If we want Illinois to remain a place where people choose to invest and stay for the long term, we need policies that make our state more affordable and attractive to families and job creators. That is the conversation Springfield should be having but isn’t.”
Saying she is a lifelong Bears’ fan, State Rep. Regan Deering (R-Decatur) released the following statement:
“The potential loss of the Bears would be devastating for our state. Not only would more than 100 years of history be uprooted, but our economy would suffer due to the habitual inaction of the Democrat supermajority. Gov. Pritzker and Speaker Welch can blame anyone they want, but the reality is that Illinois’ anti-business policies and high-tax, high-cost environment are driving businesses away.
If Illinois cannot keep the Chicago Bears, it should be a warning sign that something is fundamentally wrong with the direction Democrats are taking our state. In 2023 alone, Illinois lost nearly 220 businesses, ranking second in the nation for business losses. That business exodus is further evidence that Gov. Pritzker and Illinois Democrats have fostered a failed business climate.”
Instead of prioritizing a competitive economic environment, Democrats continue to impose higher taxes and fees on businesses and families, and the Bears’ departure is a glaring example of the consequences. We need real tax relief and meaningful reforms. During the spring legislative session, several proposals were introduced to keep the Bears in Illinois, but in true Springfield fashion, those efforts came far too late.”
Gov. Pritzker, running for a third term this year and perhaps a run for the presidency in 2028, faces the prospect of losing the team that, as the Bears’ fight song says, is the “pride and joy of Illinois.”
Pritzker’s office released the following statement.
“The Bears have built a storied legacy in Illinois for over 100 years but have spent the last six years, and especially the last few months, shifting their position on a stadium location.
That has hindered their progress.
Today appears to be another instance of that after Illinois leaders have been working with the Bears in good faith.
Gov. Pritzker has always been clear that he wants the Bears to stay in Illinois and still remains open to a sensible solution that protects taxpayers."
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