…Adding… Crain’s…
In what he hopes will be a “wake-up call” to state leadership about the team’s exploration of potential stadium sites in northwest Indiana, Arlington Heights Mayor Jim Tinaglia today issued an open letter imploring Illinois legislators to approve a so-called megaproject bill that would bring long-term predictability to property taxes on large developments.
The measure, which would allow the Bears to negotiate future property tax payments for a stadium with local taxing bodies, is one of the team’s chief demands before it would forge ahead with a new venue and entertainment district at the 326-acre former Arlington International Racecourse property. It’s also an entirely reasonable ask, Tinaglia said, from a franchise proposing the largest private development in the state’s history.
“The team has been clear that at this point their choices are either the Arlington Heights site, or Indiana,” Tinaglia wrote in the letter. “We must stand together as Illinoisans to prevent our state from being out of the NFL business altogether, and support the Mega Projects Bill.” […]
“People need to realize that this (Indiana pursuit) is real,” Tinaglia said, lamenting what he deems widespread misinformation and misunderstanding about what the Bears want from Springfield.
…Adding… The governor was asked about the half a billion dollars or so still owed on the Soldier Field stadium remodel and if it was the Bears’ debt to pay off…
You know, the Bears don’t owe that. That is a decision that government leaders made years ago to borrow that money to create the Bears stadium. I mean, the Bears, of course, as a result of them playing at Soldier Field and paying rent, essentially at Soldier Field, are helping to pay the bills on that but I just want to be clear that the actual fiscal responsibility, the financial responsibility for that debt, does not fall on the Bears.
Having said that, we do not want them to leave the city of Chicago or the state of Illinois with enormous debt that goes unpaid. And so we have to figure out how that happens that does not fall entirely on the Bears. So just wanted to disabuse people of that notion in terms of the dynamics.
You know, we’ve been really clear about what we’ve been willing to do as a state, and there have been lots of discussions over time and recently with the Bears to make sure that they know what those options are. And I believe it’s best for the Bears to stay in the state of Illinois. I’ve always said that. I do not think the fans want the Chicago Bears to be based anywhere else except in the state of Illinois.
And frankly, at this moment, I think we all ought to be thinking about crushing the Rams and not talking about a stadium.
* The Sun-Times…
The Bears hailed Indiana politicians taking the first step to create the Northwest Indiana Stadium Authority as a “significant milestone” in the team’s discussions to build a home stadium across state lines rather than the 326 acres the team owns in Arlington Heights.
The Indiana Legislature’s Senate Bill 27, amended Thursday, would authorize the Northwest Indiana Stadium Authority to acquire land, finance improvements and enter into leases with a private business such as the Bears.
“The legislation presented by the State of Indiana is a significant milestone in our discussions around a potential stadium development in Chicagoland’s Northwest Indiana region,” a Bears spokesperson said in a statement. “We appreciate the leadership and responsiveness of Governor [Mike] Braun and Indiana lawmakers in advancing a framework that allows these conversations to move forward productively.”
More from Crain’s…
Language in the proposed legislation would create the stadium authority as a stand-in for the state; the authority would function as the owner of a new stadium.
The authority’s three-member board would be made up of the director of the Indiana Office of Management and Budget, a budget office designee and the director of the Public Finance Authority.
SB 27 doesn’t mention the Bears by name, but it specifically allows the new stadium authority to enter into agreements with an NFL franchise. Under the current language, that NFL team would have to commit to a 35-year lease. […]
The bill stipulates the authority would own the stadium, but the team would pay for repairs and operational costs. During the lease term, the NFL team would have the option to buy the stadium for the cost of the outstanding debt — or for $1 once the project is fully paid off.
* Rep Hoan Huynh filed HB4467 this morning…
Creates the ICE and CBP Tracker Act. Requires the Attorney General to create and maintain a statewide incident reporting system related to unlawful activity in Illinois by personnel employed by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and U.S. Border Protection. Makes legislative findings. Authorizes the Attorney General to adopt rules to implement the Act.
* Sen. Rachel Ventura…
State Senator Rachel Ventura introduced a new measure to establish the Illinois Psilocybin Advisory Board to investigate and advise on best practices for psilocybin treatments to help tackle treatment-resistant conditions, like PTSD. […]
For the past several years, Ventura has championed Senate Bill 2184, also known as the CURE Act, which would establish a framework for the legal manufacture, delivery, use, and possession of entheogens, namely psilocybin, and make conforming changes to the State’s criminal laws. The measure would require a referral from a health care professional in order to begin the therapy. Prior to first exposure of psilocybin, an individual would undergo a prep session to gauge their conditions and previous treatments and methods they have tried. Post session integration meeting would ensure the individual has the resources and tools they need to work through the psilocybin experience.
The measure led by Ventura this year – Senate Bill 2772 – would implement a part of the CURE Act, establishing the Illinois Psilocybin Advisory Board under the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, which would create a training program, ethical standards and licensing requirements. During a two-year program development period, the board would issue recommendations for health and safety regulations to agencies tasked with regulating psilocybin production and use under the CURE Act. Ventura remains committed to passing the CURE Act in its entirety at a later date. […]
Senate Bill 2772 currently awaits committee assignment.
* Press release…
Members of the Illinois Senate Republican Caucus joined together to outline a series of legislative proposals aimed at addressing the state’s growing energy affordability crisis and reversing policies that have driven electric bills higher for families and businesses.
Senate Republicans warned that the Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act (CRGA) weakens consumer protections, removes long-standing rate caps, shifts billions of dollars in new costs onto ratepayers, and reduces local control. Meanwhile, the bill does nothing to deliver lower prices or improved grid reliability.
“Illinois families are already struggling with record-high electric bills, and CRGA makes the problem worse,” said Terri Bryant (R-Murphysboro), Republican Minority Spokesperson for the Senate Energy and Public Utilities Committee. “It removes rate caps, weakens consumer protections, and shifts massive new costs onto ratepayers without offering real relief.”
In response, Senate Republicans are filing several energy proposals focused on affordability, reliability, and accountability. The measures include restoring consumer rate caps, expanding reliable energy generation, streamlining permitting for new power projects, and repealing policies that reduce supply and drive up costs.
“Nuclear energy provides around-the-clock reliability and price stability,” said Senate Deputy Republican Leader Sue Rezin (R-Morris). “Instead of prioritizing proven solutions, CRGA shifts costly and risky policies onto ratepayers. Senate Republicans are advancing legislation to speed up permitting for new generation, including nuclear, so Illinois can compete and keep costs down.”
Senator Rezin has filed legislation to modernize and streamline the permitting process for new power generation projects by requiring agencies and local governments to act within clear timelines, with permits automatically approved if deadlines are missed.
Senator Jil Tracy (R-Quincy) highlighted Senate Bill 1234 and Senate Bill 1235, two additional measures previously filed aimed at improving and increasing reliability and transparency. […]
Meanwhile, Senate Bill 1235 would repeal the 2030 and 2045 forced shutdown dates for coal and natural gas plants and allow for the construction of new natural gas peaker plants to ensure reliability during extreme weather. […]
“Pritzker’s new law removed the rate caps that protect families from unlimited utility increases,” said Senator Rose (R-Mahomet). “I’m filing legislation to put those rate caps back where they belong, repeal the costly battery storage program, and restore local control so communities have a real voice.”
Senate Republicans said their legislative agenda is designed to lower costs, strengthen grid reliability, and restore accountability in Illinois’ energy policy.
* HB4457 from Rep. Amy Briel…
Creates the Gender Pricing Equity Act. Provides that a person, firm, partnership, company, corporation, or business shall not charge a different price for any goods that are substantially similar if those goods are priced differently based on the gender of the individuals for whom the goods are marketed and intended. Provides that a violation of any of the provisions of the Act is an unlawful practice under the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. Amends the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act to make a conforming change.
* Sen. Lakesia Collins introduced SB2832 earlier this week…
From the bill…
Developmental etiquette education under this Section shall be offered in the following grades:
(1) Prekindergarten and kindergarten.
Instruction in these grades shall include sharing basic manners and greeting others.
(2) Grades one through 3.
Instruction in these grades shall include listening, apologizing, taking turns, and cooperation.
(3) Grade 6.
Instruction in this grade shall include 9 peer communication, empathy, and personal responsibility.
(4) Grade 8.
Instruction in this grade shall include cyber etiquette, resolving disputes, and bystander skills.
(5) Grade 9.
Instruction in this grade shall include first impressions, posture, and polite conversation.
(6) Grade 12.
Instruction in this grade shall include interviewing, networking, and workplace etiquette and a capstone project to showcase the etiquette skills acquired.
- Rudy’s teeth - Friday, Jan 16, 26 @ 10:52 am:
The Bears will never move to Indiana. The iconic song “Bears Down Chicago Bears …You’re the Pride and Joy of Illinois” will never be sung in Indiana.
Gov. Braun should focus on repairing roads, funding public education, and addressing rampant pollution in NWI.
- DS - Friday, Jan 16, 26 @ 10:56 am:
The Bears just keep finding new ways to ruin the best vibes in decades over this stadium.
- Friendly Bob Adams - Friday, Jan 16, 26 @ 11:01 am:
If the Bears lose Sunday they can move anywhere they like.
- Give Us Barabbas - Friday, Jan 16, 26 @ 11:02 am:
Man, I just don’t get how the Bears owners are flirting with Indiana and not understanding just how huge a PR hit they would be taking if they relocated to a stadium there. I get it that at least one other NFL team does that. But Chicago fans will riot and it’s gonna be a big financial hit as well, the damage to good will would be immense.
- Flapdoodle - Friday, Jan 16, 26 @ 11:06 am:
Re teaching etiquette — Since proper etiquette varies considerably from place to place and culture to culture, I’m kind of wondering whose version(s) will be taught and when. Not against the idea, just a bit skeptical.
- Pundent - Friday, Jan 16, 26 @ 11:12 am:
=Gov. Braun should focus on repairing roads, funding public education, and addressing rampant pollution in NWI.=
Or, as we learned last week, introducing himself to a large number of Hoosiers who don’t even know who he is
- Sue - Friday, Jan 16, 26 @ 11:18 am:
As much as the Gov touts his pro business chops- economic growth and employment here in Illinois has vastly lagged the growth in the midwest- if he loses the Bears to Indiana- his national profile will be severely damaged
- Candy Dogood - Friday, Jan 16, 26 @ 11:23 am:
===The Bears hailed Indiana politicians taking the first step to create the Northwest Indiana Stadium Authority as a “significant milestone” in the team’s discussions to build a home stadium across state lines rather than the 326 acres the team owns in Arlington Heights.===
I’m genuinely impressed at the new ways that the Bears front office has at finding new ways to demonstrate their incompetence.
At a time when I’m supposed to be excited about the Bears, they’re reminding me how much I hate the owners.
Let them move to Indiana. See how their fan base responds to that.
Also — Indiana wants to give away billions of dollars to billionaires who have spent their entire lives avoiding Indiana like the rest if the people that live Chicagoland. Have they asked their voters how they feel about this plan?
- Hoosier Daddy - Friday, Jan 16, 26 @ 11:24 am:
Read through the Indiana bill. Struggling to understand some of it (they write them differently there.) Especially this from page 6, line 21:
“(the agreement) may provide that the lease rental payments by the lessee shall be made from: (A) proceeds of local excise taxes; and (B) applicable proceeds of food and beverage tax and innkeepers tax.”
The lessee is presumably the Bears. Which means a bunch of sales taxes are handed over to the Bears and then they use that cash to pay rent?
https://iga.in.gov/pdf-documents/124/2026/senate/bills/SB0027/SB0027.02.COMS.pdf
- Big Tent - Friday, Jan 16, 26 @ 11:39 am:
The beginning of the end….
- Roadrager - Friday, Jan 16, 26 @ 11:48 am:
==The lessee is presumably the Bears. Which means a bunch of sales taxes are handed over to the Bears and then they use that cash to pay rent?==
The Bears’ plan to move to Gary collapsed in 1995 because Lake County refused to approve the tax increase that would fund the deal.
This time, they want to implement the tax statewide.
If the Bears decide to start talking really tough about this charade, I imagine JB can reach down into the couch cushions and blanket the state with ads informing all the Colts fans that their elected representatives want to give a whole bunch of their hard-earned money to the CHICAGO Bears.
Also, clearly no one behind this legislation has considered how quickly the Irsay family will have its hands out if this actually passes.
- Steve Polite - Friday, Jan 16, 26 @ 12:00 pm:
“Senator Rezin has filed legislation to modernize and streamline the permitting process for new power generation projects by requiring agencies and local governments to act within clear timelines, with permits automatically approved if deadlines are missed.”
Given the Illinois General Assembly controls appropriations to State Agencies, funding for programs are sometimes cut, and staffing shortages occur, having a bill that permits are automatically granted when deadlines are missed, seems to me to be a bad idea.
- Henry Francis - Friday, Jan 16, 26 @ 12:01 pm:
The goal for the Bears stadium plans is to increase the value of the team when it is sold by Papa Bear’s grandkids in the near future. The team needs to own the stadium to do that. If a new state of the art stadium is included in the sale of the team, it would add roughly $2 billion to the purchase price.
The Indiana legislation has the state authority owning the stadium, not the Bears. So Warren’s leverage play with the Hoosiers is a bust.
- Pundent - Friday, Jan 16, 26 @ 12:02 pm:
=As much as the Gov touts his pro business chops- economic growth and employment here in Illinois has vastly lagged the growth in the midwest=
It’s a tired trope particularly considering the vast difference in GDP. And I’ll take Illinois wages over right to work havens like Indiana all day long.
As far as the Bears go, the Governor seems quite adept at reading the room. In an economy where affordability is front and center I don’t think saying no to billionaire sports teams is the burn you think it is.
- H-W - Friday, Jan 16, 26 @ 12:12 pm:
Re: Bears
I like the new name = The Northwest Indiana Bears. It helps avoid any confusion around the differences between the Indianapolis Colts and the Northwest Indiana team. Let’s go NW Indi Bears.
- Lurker - Friday, Jan 16, 26 @ 12:18 pm:
I think those etiquette classes need to add respecting teachers, principals, and other adults that are working for their betterment.
- Regular democrat - Friday, Jan 16, 26 @ 12:22 pm:
Obviously based on the 180 degree turnaround in the rhetoric in since the NFL commissioner came to town and the Indiana threat seems kinda real the AH plans seem a sure thing now. Those communities in and around AH will strike the best deal they can and move on. The most intriguing thing in a previous post i never thought of was this-the governor has white house ambitions and the fact that he couldnt keep his football team here in illinois certainly wouldnt help his shaky business credentials. Interesting thought by Sue.
- Rahm's Parking Meter - Friday, Jan 16, 26 @ 12:30 pm:
The press conference in Arlington Heights today - good showing by local leadership.
- Formerly Unemployed - Friday, Jan 16, 26 @ 12:44 pm:
All the people with “don’t make Indiana into Illinois” yard signs are going to have exploded heads.
- Well okay, then - Friday, Jan 16, 26 @ 12:45 pm:
NOrth West INdiana BEARS
or
NOWINBEARS
- Mason born - Friday, Jan 16, 26 @ 12:46 pm:
As for the Bears. Both the NY Jets and the NY Giants play in New Jersey so there is history of this. Bears would probably still go by Chicago Bears even if playing in NW Indiana. Here’s hoping the Legislature sticks to it’s guns and says nope.
Though to be fair I am not a Bears fan but am an Illinois tax payer so I could be biased here.
- Harrison - Friday, Jan 16, 26 @ 12:51 pm:
Where do the Governor, The Speaker and Senate President stand on the mega project bill?
- Paddyrollingstone - Friday, Jan 16, 26 @ 1:01 pm:
“People need to realize that this (Indiana pursuit) is real,” Tinaglia said, lamenting what he deems widespread misinformation and misunderstanding about what the Bears want from Springfield.
Narrator: it is not real.
- ZC - Friday, Jan 16, 26 @ 1:03 pm:
I thought about the Jets and the Giants but that’s been true for a very looong time. Plus NY and NJ are just kind of linked in a way IL and IN are not. So in the long run I’m sure people would get used to it, true, but buckle down Bears for the instant backlash if they do this.
I’m starting to dutifully raise my kids as Bears fans even though my own hometown loyalties are elsewhere, and I’m OK if they wind up out in Arlington. I’d like it actually if we had a mega stadium somewhere, someday, that could host a World Cup game. But if the Bears up and leave the state, goodbye to all that.
- The Farm Grad - Friday, Jan 16, 26 @ 1:07 pm:
“As for the Bears. Both the NY Jets and the NY Giants play in New Jersey”
And their SB parades were in Manhattan, just as a Bears SB parade would be down Michigan Avenue.
Where they play does not matter, except for the 65k season ticket holders.
What do I think. Let them play in NW Indiana, if that’s what they want.
I don’t want a working class HH in Cook County paying more in property taxes because the oligarchs in the Bears organization want to pay less
- Excitable Boy - Friday, Jan 16, 26 @ 1:12 pm:
- This time, they want to implement the tax statewide. -
I spend a lot of time in rural Indiana far away from the Chicago metro area. The idea that those Hoosiers might have to pony up to pay for a stadium that will keep money flowing to the Chicago metro area really makes me smile.
- Thomas Paine - Friday, Jan 16, 26 @ 1:16 pm:
As Rich says, “Its just a bill.”
When the Indiana governor says he will sign it if it reaches his desk, and it passes the Indiana Senate, let me know.
- Steve - Friday, Jan 16, 26 @ 1:18 pm:
Illinois legislators hold tight. Other big cities have survived without NFL teams. Los Angeles went about 21 years without a team. New York city hasn’t had a team for over 42 years.
- Mason Born - Friday, Jan 16, 26 @ 1:18 pm:
ZC
I get the temporary backlash, but IF the bears make the SB that would be the time to announce it. Esp if they actually win. Be hard for a die hard fan to be steamed about a stadium he’ll never attend while he’s rubbing every Packers fan nose in a new Lombardi
- Leslie K - Friday, Jan 16, 26 @ 1:55 pm:
I think it’s time the Bears got serious and did some real engagement with the IL legistlature. I’m hearing that Blago and John Arena are available. /s
- JS Mill - Friday, Jan 16, 26 @ 1:58 pm:
Who knew Indiana was the new capital of socialism in America?
Re: etiquette instruction- Hey no problem, we will replace math or reading instruction time with teaching kids etiquette. I also not the bill says “offer” so is it required for students to take it? Is it required for grade advancement?
Whole understanding basic etiquette is great, we have far more important battles to fight. And this will only create battles.
As a side note, we read several of Ruby Payne’s books as a staff decades ago. We learned about the importance of teaching kids things like looking people in the eye and shaking hands when introducing oneself. One of my children got a job as a result. But it wasn’t a requirement and should not be.
Teach parents how to teach their kids. Make that a requirement. /s
- Rudy’s teeth - Friday, Jan 16, 26 @ 2:43 pm:
That’s quite a list proposed by the Illinois Senate regarding etiquette in schools.
All the items could be replaced with two words…home training.
- Oklahoma - Friday, Jan 16, 26 @ 3:16 pm:
The sites proposed in Indiana truly do make it clear that they still are the “Chicago” Bears. As you can see, a view from the stadium puts the downtown skyline in sharp focus: https://www.chicagotribune.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/CTC-L-US-Steel-Gary-18a-02.jpg?w=1396
- Dotnonymous x - Friday, Jan 16, 26 @ 3:42 pm:
Both etiquette and good will seem to be values from America’s past…sadly.