CHICAGO — Gov. JB Pritzker said Thursday that legislation being discussed in Springfield would leave room for a Bears stadium in Chicago or Arlington Heights, giving the team two potential Illinois options as officials work to prevent a move to Indiana.
Speaking to reporters during an unrelated news conference in Chicago, Pritzker was asked why he was bringing the Windy City back into the stadium discussion when the Bears have publicly emphasized their pursuit of a project in Hammond.
"The legislation that is being discussed now would give the option for the possibility that there would be a stadium built in the city or in Arlington Heights," Pritzker said, emphasizing that the location would be the team's decision.
RELATED: Pritzker, Bailey Clash Over Trump, Taxes And Bears At Chicago Forum
His comments described the options lawmakers could make available, without announcing a stadium agreement or a decision by the Bears to pursue a Chicago site.
"We want to keep them in the state of Illinois," Pritzker said. "If we give them those two options, I think that would be satisfactory."
No New Chicago Site Identified
Asked whether a new location in Chicago was being discussed, Pritzker did not identify one. He said developers and others in the city have ideas about possible locations and are having conversations with the Bears.
The team already owns the 326-acre former Arlington Park property in Arlington Heights, which it purchased in 2023 for a potential stadium and surrounding development. But Bears President and CEO Kevin Warren said in August that the organization's "sole focus" was a stadium and mixed-use project in Hammond.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has continued advocating for a city stadium. In May, he maintained that Chicago remained the best location despite the team's increasing attention to Arlington Heights and Northwest Indiana.
Johnson and the Bears unveiled a lakefront stadium proposal near Soldier Field in April 2024, but that project subsequently lost momentum as the other locations moved to the forefront.
Conversations Continue After NFL Meeting
Pritzker also was asked Thursday whether there had been additional meetings since his Oct. 1 discussion with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, Bears minority owner Pat Ryan and legislative leaders.
He said there had been considerable conversation, though no subsequent meeting comparable in scope to that gathering.
The Oct. 1 meeting included House Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch, state Rep. Kam Buckner and state Sen. Bill Cunningham, as Illinois officials continued their effort to keep the franchise in the state. The NFL emphasized the need for timely action toward a long-term stadium solution.
Notably absent for the meeting was Warren, who joined the team in 2023 and had previously been a proponent of keeping the team in Chicago.
Asked Thursday why Chicago lawmakers participated, Pritzker said the meeting included leadership from both legislative chambers. He noted that Cunningham represented the Senate president.
November Action Remains In Focus
Thursday's comments followed Tuesday's gubernatorial forum, where Pritzker expressed optimism that lawmakers could act on a Bears package in November.
During that forum, Pritzker reiterated his opposition to taxpayers paying to build the team's stadium, while distinguishing that expense from public infrastructure such as roads, bridges and underground utilities.
Republican challenger Darren Bailey argued Illinois had waited too long and asserted the Bears were headed to Indiana. Pritzker maintained that negotiations were continuing.
Chicago's place in those discussions has shifted throughout the stadium search. In May, Cunningham told NBC Chicago that the Bears had contacted city officials about hypothetically revisiting the lakefront if Arlington Heights did not work out, as Patch previously reported.
On Thursday, Pritzker again framed the state's role as providing an opportunity to stay in Illinois, leaving the location decision with the franchise.
Related Coverage
Sign up for free local newsletters and alerts for the
Chicago Patch
Patch.com is the nationwide leader in hyperlocal news.
Visit Patch.com to find your town today.