Today’s quotable
Tuesday, Aug 11, 2026 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Peoria Journal Star…
Republican Darren Bailey, who is running against Pritzker in November’s gubernatorial election, cast the possible move to Indiana by the Bears as a done deal on Monday, saying it was too late to convince the team to stay.
Bailey said he talked to [Indiana Gov. Mike Braun] about Indiana’s deal with the Bears and was assured “that ship sailed about five years ago.”
Thoughts?
- btowntruth from forgottonia - Tuesday, Aug 11, 26 @ 1:20 pm:
Anyone believe him?
- Arsenal - Tuesday, Aug 11, 26 @ 1:24 pm:
Seems plausible, but I doubt Braun really knows. I wouldn’t even trust that Bailey actually spoke to him.
- frustrated GOP - Tuesday, Aug 11, 26 @ 1:28 pm:
So, Bailey won’t work to fight to keep a billion dollar company with tens of millions in tax revenue per year here in Illinois? huh, Doesn’t seem very republican of him.
- Jerry - Tuesday, Aug 11, 26 @ 1:34 pm:
The Bears are a privately owned, for-profit corporation and free to move their company anywhere they like. The State of Illinois does not have trillions of dollars in Free Money to handout to them when they already had a Headquarters paid for by taxpayers and built to their specifications generations ago.
I wish the football club the best of luck and good riddance.
- @misterjayem - Tuesday, Aug 11, 26 @ 1:39 pm:
“that ship sailed about five years ago.”
We sure he wasn’t talking about Bailey’s gubernatorial aspirations?
– MrJM
- Friendly Bob Adams - Tuesday, Aug 11, 26 @ 1:42 pm:
MJM for the win….
- Save Ferris - Tuesday, Aug 11, 26 @ 1:44 pm:
So, Barren Dailey says that 5 years ago, in 2021, the Bears were headed to Indiana.
On February 15, 2023, three and a half years ago, the McCaskey’s dropped $197.2 million for land in Arlington Heights.
I don’t know who’s dumber. Him or the McCaskey’s.
- TNR - Tuesday, Aug 11, 26 @ 1:48 pm:
Geez, that question was put on a tee for him and that’s the best he could come up with? Another reason why JB loves running against this guy.
- Dance Band on the Titanic - Tuesday, Aug 11, 26 @ 1:48 pm:
Is Bailey really suggesting that the Bears had cut a secret deal with Indiana just before they agreed to spend $200 million to purchase Arlington Park?
Dude’s been inhaling too many farm chemicals.
- Flyin' Elvis'-Utah Chapter - Tuesday, Aug 11, 26 @ 1:49 pm:
What Save Ferris said.
The Bears haven’t so much as stuck a shovel in the ground in Indiana.
Those who believe Bailey knows the people who know are still waiting on those DOGE checks.
- Ducky LaMoore - Tuesday, Aug 11, 26 @ 1:54 pm:
So he talked to the GOP governor from Indiana, and not Bears brass? I’ll vote Bailey the dumber one, Save Ferris.
- Stephanie Kollmann - Tuesday, Aug 11, 26 @ 1:56 pm:
MrJM +1
Maybe after he loses he can open a business school at his religious academy where he can teach lines like “oh well, my competitor told me he closed the deal”
- Save Ferris - Tuesday, Aug 11, 26 @ 2:02 pm:
@Ducky I’ve felt for a long time that the whole Indiana play is an “Embarrass Pritzker” play and not a “build a stadium” play. Nothing I’ve seen changes my opinion.
- Rudy’s teeth - Tuesday, Aug 11, 26 @ 2:07 pm:
Darren Bailey is grasping at straws to stay in the news cycle. Why would Gov. Braun have a conversation with two-time losing candidate Darren Bailey?
Is Darren Bailey consulting a crystal ball or reading tea leaves to discern this news?
- Name Withheld - Tuesday, Aug 11, 26 @ 2:29 pm:
Anyone follow up with Gov Braun? I’d hate for the Republican candidate for governor to be caught in a lie, or even a misrepresentation of the truth.
- OneMan - Tuesday, Aug 11, 26 @ 2:35 pm:
Seems like if it was done deal 5 years ago he would have used that the last time he ran, JB is so bad the Bears are going to buy land in Illinois then move to Hammond…
- tell me when it's over - Tuesday, Aug 11, 26 @ 2:35 pm:
The sad part is Bailey is rooting for the Bears to leave, for cheap opportunistic political gain — which in truth won’t make a difference because in 3 months he’ll experience his 3rd loss in 4 years no matter what the Bears actually do. The Illinois GOP has had a lot of embarrassing election cycles, but this one takes the cake.
- Johnny B - Tuesday, Aug 11, 26 @ 2:53 pm:
Embarrass Pritzker?
The General Assembly and the Governor didn’t need any help embarrassing themselves.
The late night shenanigans last day of session where both chambers couldn’t get on the same page after months and months of negotiations is on them 100%.
- The Farm Grad - Tuesday, Aug 11, 26 @ 3:05 pm:
I wish!!! But Bailey is wrong.
“So, Bailey won’t work to fight to keep a billion dollar company with tens of millions in tax revenue per year here in Illinois? huh, Doesn’t seem very republican of him.”
Economic study after economic study have demonstrated that stadiums are a net drain on municipalities.
Best thing that can happen to Chicago is for the team to relocate to NW Indiana.
Then, if a SB ever takes place, Chicago picks up 80% of the revenue (hospitality, Ohare/Midway, restaurants) with 20% of the cost
- Excitable Boy - Tuesday, Aug 11, 26 @ 3:06 pm:
Braun also said he had some sweet oceanfront property we can purchase once Bailey takes office.
- JS Mill - Tuesday, Aug 11, 26 @ 3:08 pm:
Sure Darren. Whatever you say.
- Rudy’s teeth - Tuesday, Aug 11, 26 @ 3:30 pm:
Last time Darren Bailey ran for governor he had the deep pockets of a wealthy donor to finance his campaign. This tine the cupboard is bare so he is using the Bears to draw some attention to his flailing campaign.
- Sue - Tuesday, Aug 11, 26 @ 3:31 pm:
“5 years ago” –
I suppose you could plausibly say that means that the economic and business conditions that made Indiana more desirable were set in motion 5 years ago, though it’s unlikely that this is what Bailey meant. Nonetheless, he’s right that Illinois doesn’t really have a shot at using legislation to persuade the Bears to stay, not after the debacle(s) in the spring.
As to Bailey talking to Braun — I don’t see why he wouldn’t. Long-shot or not, it would surely be a matter of common courtesy for a sitting governor to spend a few minutes in conversation with the nominee from a neighboring state.
- Dotnonymous x - Tuesday, Aug 11, 26 @ 4:52 pm:
Mr JM with the ghost uppercut…8,9, it’s a knockout!
- low level - Tuesday, Aug 11, 26 @ 5:30 pm:
Career Loser Candidate Bailey has no idea what the Bears are doing. If the ship had sailed 5 years ago, the Bears would be in their new stadium by now.
- Billy Bob - Tuesday, Aug 11, 26 @ 5:33 pm:
He doesn’t know what he’s talking about. Next.