For the last several weeks, it has been a foregone conclusion that the Chicago Bears are playing one of their final seasons in the city that they have called home for over 100 years. Recently, it was announced that the Bears organization was moving forward with plans to move into a new stadium that would be built in Hammond, Indiana.
The decision for this future move was made because the Illinois legislature did not pass any laws that would have granted the Bears public funds and/or tax breaks to build a new stadium in Chicago or one of its neighboring suburbs.
Chicago’s lease at Soldier Field runs through 2033, but the organization wants to be in a new stadium by 2027.
The Chicago Bears are working with the Illinois government
Sep 17, 2018; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears former player Brian Urlacher is honored during half time of a game between the Chicago Bears and the Seattle Seahawks at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports
According to a report by Politico, the Bears are currently working with Illinois law-makers on new laws that would help keep the Bears in the state. Per the article:
“After weeks of public posturing, the conversation is moving again. Discussions between the Bears and Illinois officials are continuing behind the scenes, with some expecting greater clarity as soon as Wednesday. The Bears are even working on legislation that could keep them in Illinois. That’s something Gov JB Pritzker emphasized last week: that there would be no special legislative session addressing the Bears without a deal in place.
“Message received. Rather than waiting for lawmakers to craft a solution, the team has been asked to identify precisely what legislative language it wants. Drafting work is underway, according to a person close to the discussions.”
Previously, Governor Pritzker had said that there would not be a special session to keep the Bears in Illinois. It appears, though, that he meant they would not have a special session to write the laws. They would call the session when the laws were written with the organization’s input.
It is not a done deal yet, but this is a positive step in the right direction for fans that did not want to see the Bears leave.
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