ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL — Gov. JB Pritzker met with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and legislative leaders Thursday to discuss keeping the Chicago Bears in Illinois, with the league emphasizing the need for timely action on a stadium solution.
Bears minority owner Pat Ryan, House Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch, state Rep. Kam Buckner and state Sen. Bill Cunningham also participated, according to a statement provided by the governor's office.
"The Governor's Office has remained in conversation with the Bears about their plans in Illinois throughout the summer," the statement said.
"The Governor and General Assembly leadership were glad to participate in a productive meeting focused on keeping the Bears in Illinois and protecting taxpayers."
An NFL spokesperson also confirmed the meeting reports ABC7 Chicago.
"The NFL appreciated the opportunity to meet with Governor Pritzker and legislative leaders today," the spokesperson said. "Timely action is essential as the Bears work to find a long-term stadium solution for the club and their fans."
The Bears own the 326-acre former Arlington Park property in Arlington Heights, which they purchased for a potential stadium and surrounding development.
Although the team has described Northwest Indiana as its focus, Goodell said in August that the Bears were still considering their Arlington Heights property, according to Politico. He said the league wanted both Illinois and Indiana to have an opportunity to present their proposals.
Thursday's meeting adds to evidence that discussions with Illinois officials have continued despite the team's public emphasis on Hammond, Indiana.
Capitol News Illinois reported last month that emails obtained through a public records request showed Bears stadium executive Karen Murphy arranged an Aug. 20 meeting with Deputy Gov. Andy Manar.
Ryan was added to that meeting shortly beforehand. Records also showed another August meeting invitation concerning infrastructure, according to the report. Neither the Bears nor the governor's office disclosed the substance of those discussions at the time.
The Illinois House and Senate passed competing stadium-related packages during the spring session but did not agree on the same legislation, leaving the Bears without the agreement they sought for an Illinois project.
The Bears' board voted in June to advance a stadium project in Hammond, as reported by Patch.
RELATED:
Sign up for free local newsletters and alerts for the
Arlington Heights Patch
Patch.com is the nationwide leader in hyperlocal news.
Visit Patch.com to find your town today.