* Subscribers know more. Crain’s…
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and Chicago Bears minority owner Pat Ryan met today with Gov. JB Pritzker and senior legislative leaders as the team considers its options for a new stadium.
“The governor’s office has remained in conversation with the Bears about their plans in Illinois throughout the summer,” Pritzker’s office said in a written statement released this afternoon. “The governor and General Assembly leadership were glad to participate in a productive meeting focused on keeping the Bears in Illinois and protecting taxpayers.”
Also included in the meeting were House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, Rep. Kam Buckner and Sen. Bill Cunningham, who led negotiations on legislation related to the Bears during the spring session.
“The NFL appreciated the opportunity to meet with Gov. Pritzker and legislative leaders today,” an NFL spokesman told the Chicago Sun-Times and The Athletic. “Timely action is essential as the Bears work to find a long-term stadium solution for the club and their fans.”
* Sun-Times…
It was Goodell’s second meeting in as many months with Illinois officials, while Ryan — who bankrolled his namesake stadium opening later this week at Northwestern University — takes a more active role in negotiations with the state over Bears president Kevin Warren, who hasn’t made inroads in Springfield. […]
Sources familiar with Thursday’s discussion suggested there was no major breakthrough, but some optimism that common ground could be found before lawmakers return to Springfield in mid-November for the fall veto session. Further meetings are expected this month.
* Tribune…
The meeting also comes after the General Assembly was unable to advance legislation last spring that would create property tax incentives for the Bears to move to the site of the former Arlington International Racecourse in Arlington Heights. In the meantime, the Indiana legislature passed legislation earlier this year to help incentivize a possible Bears move to the Hoosier state.
So far, Warren has said the team has focused on due diligence for two sites in Indiana that include a topographical, geological and environmental analysis of the land, as well as putting together a “capital stack” to finance the $2 billion the Bears proposed to build a new stadium and a surrounding multiuse development.
The two sites being considered in Hammond are the Lost Marsh Golf Course and the Wolf Lake Terminals. Warren has said due diligence has been completed on the Lost Marsh location and that it is viable for construction, while the process is ongoing at nearby Wolf Lake. But he also said a merger of the two sites is possible.
Pritzker and Goodell have been in regular communication about the Bears stadium negotiations since at least January, when the governor’s calendar showed he had two scheduled conversations while the commissioner was in Chicago for the Bears-Packers playoff game on Jan. 10.
…Adding… Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson…
* More…
* ABC Chicago | Illinois leaders, NFL commissioner hold ‘productive’ meeting to discuss Chicago Bears stadium future: Sources told ABC7 that Ryan, whose family developed Northwestern University’s new Ryan Field, has emerged in recent weeks as a facilitator of discussions between Illinois leaders and the NFL. The Bears declined to comment on the meeting. Arlington Heights Mayor Jim Tinaglia said he was encouraged by Pritzker’s remarks and welcomed continued progress toward keeping the Bears in Illinois.
* NBC Chicago | Bears’ stadium update prompts responses from Arlington Heights, Hammond mayors: Now, the mayors of suburban Arlington Heights in Illinois and Hammond in Indiana are sharing their reactions to the news that the two sides met, with Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr. saying the Bears informed him of the meeting before it took place. He conceded he wasn’t happy with the meeting taking place, but said he understood the decision during an online community meeting Thursday. […] Arlington Heights Mayor Jim Tinaglia says the village remains in constant communication with state officials about the possibility of hosting the new Bears stadium. “We were aware of today’s meeting between Governor Pritzker, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, and other state leaders, and we are encouraged by the Governor’s statement following that discussion,” he said in a statement. “We welcome continued progress toward keeping the Bears in Illinois and continue to believe that Arlington Heights offers the best opportunity for the Bears to build a state-of-the-art stadium and entertainment district.”
* Politico | Bears at the table with Pritzker: Lawmakers who have worked on stadium legislation say any eventual proposal would likely preserve a path for either Chicago or Arlington Heights, consistent with the previous Senate proposal that was designed to be location-neutral rather than favor one site over another. Looking at November: Whether the issue surfaces during the veto session will come down to a familiar Springfield calculation: having enough votes.
- DuPage Saint - Friday, Oct 2, 26 @ 8:48 am:
Kevin Warren has earned every penny he has been paid /S
- Bill Melton - Friday, Oct 2, 26 @ 8:49 am:
Are the White Sox preparing to use all of this Chicago Bears
Script for their new stadium?
Especially, after they win the World Series
- Irreverent - Friday, Oct 2, 26 @ 9:01 am:
Buy your own stadium or go play at the toxic dump.
- LizPhairTax - Friday, Oct 2, 26 @ 9:05 am:
Your dad and uncle going down to the dealership to salvage the car deal you messed up.
au revoir le kevin
- It's always Sunny in Illinois - Friday, Oct 2, 26 @ 9:20 am:
Chief Negotiator Rep Buckner better not be backing off on the $1.29 in Property Tax relief for taxpayers….
- Sue - Friday, Oct 2, 26 @ 9:25 am:
So “any eventual proposal would likely preserve a path for either Chicago or Arlington Heights” to offer tax breaks that won’t pay for themselves, and use tax revenue to fund a stadium? The STAR bond idea is a really monumentally bad deal for taxpayers in Kansas City, Kansas and it would be just as bad here.
- Pundent - Friday, Oct 2, 26 @ 9:25 am:
So Kevin Warren and George McCaskey are all in on Hammond and meanwhile Roger Goodell and Pat Ryan are negotiating with Illinois lawmakers? Sounds about right. The Bears have overplayed their hand and now have to create this ruse rather than admit to it. They lost all leverage the day they bought Arlington Park and made their intentions known.
- Flyin' Elvis'-Utah Chapter - Friday, Oct 2, 26 @ 9:31 am:
If anyone thought the NFL was going to allow two franchises in Indiana while Illinois had none, they were fools.
And no, Indiana is not the equivalent of New Jersey.
- Amalia - Friday, Oct 2, 26 @ 9:51 am:
how are they getting a big group of legislators on board? that was the problem before.
- 47th Ward - Friday, Oct 2, 26 @ 9:54 am:
With Pat Ryan at the table, I am more optimistic a deal gets done that keeps the Bears in Illinois.
- Team Sleep - Friday, Oct 2, 26 @ 10:06 am:
I have a feeling this gets done by the end of the second week of veto session and the Bears move to Arlington Heights. Just a hunch.
- Cool Papa Bell - Friday, Oct 2, 26 @ 10:08 am:
Notable zero people who are in Hallas Hall on the daily are involved in the current talks.
- Rudy’s teeth - Friday, Oct 2, 26 @ 10:08 am:
Legacy pollution and no public transportation to the Hammond, Indiana site will end this project as an option for a stadium for the Bears.
- Think Again - Friday, Oct 2, 26 @ 10:39 am:
=and no public transportation to the Hammond, Indiana site will end this project=
The South Shore Line has two stops in Hammond.
https://www.wndu.com/2026/06/05/south-shore-line-encouraged-by-bears-continued-stadium-talks-hammond/
- Annon'in - Friday, Oct 2, 26 @ 10:53 am:
Looks like Cunningham’s local authority might get over goal …. provides tax certainty(zero) skips the whole prop tax relief program for whole state and leaves a glimmer of hope Chicago might have a chance (never forget One Central site) and avoids building on Hammond landfill…probably early Jan vote
- It's Just a Pill - Friday, Oct 2, 26 @ 11:01 am:
Kevin Warren…what is it you’d say you do here?
- Steve Rogers - Friday, Oct 2, 26 @ 11:15 am:
=They lost all leverage the day they bought Arlington Park and made their intentions known=
It worked for Stan Kroenke and the Rams. Of course, the NFL colluded with the Rams to go back to LA, but hey, at least the city of St. Louis got an $800 million settlement
- Rahm's Parking Meter - Friday, Oct 2, 26 @ 11:20 am:
Kevin Warren and George McCaskey are looking so bad right now, it is sad.
Though Kaplan’s muse about Sox Park becoming “Bearadice” was interesting.
- May soon be required - Friday, Oct 2, 26 @ 11:27 am:
==And no, Indiana is not the equivalent of New Jersey==
What is the difference?
- Flyin' Elvis'-Utah Chapter - Friday, Oct 2, 26 @ 11:30 am:
“What is the difference?”
It would take a month to explain to you, and something tells me you still wouldn’t get it.
- Demoralized - Friday, Oct 2, 26 @ 11:54 am:
Sounds to me like the NFL isn’t sold on the Bears moving to Indiana.
- Jerry - Friday, Oct 2, 26 @ 12:08 pm:
Pat and Roger can pay for the stadium including any civic improvements. Thats what good, patriotic, conservative Citizens do. Thank you for your attention to this matter.
- @misterjayem - Friday, Oct 2, 26 @ 12:17 pm:
LizPhairTax’s analogy is apt.
The adults have been called in.
– MrJM
- Candy Dogood - Friday, Oct 2, 26 @ 12:41 pm:
===Also included in the meeting were House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch===
They must be aiming to get something done during the veto session. I have better confidence about Kevin Warren being employed by the Bears next season than I do about Chris Welch having another term as House Speaker.
===Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr.===
I do not envy McDermott. Out of no where the Chicago Bears came up with a suggestion that would have been one of the biggest deals in the history of his community — and at the core of the proposal is that one of the best things in the history of Hammond, Indiana would have been one of the worst decisions possible for the Chicago Bears to make for the future of their organization.
And now this guy will have to fend off a challenger who will run on “McDermott lost the Bears stadium.”
- Blue Dog - Friday, Oct 2, 26 @ 1:03 pm:
JB would love to hang is hat on a cozy Bears deal prior to announcing a run for president.
- DuPage Saint - Friday, Oct 2, 26 @ 1:25 pm:
The Bears should get what every other major corporation gets when moving into Illinois and that is it. They should get the same tax certainty that everyone tax payer gets which is your property taxes will go up
As to JB if he actually runs for President if people do not vote for him because the Bears moved out of state this country is in way more trouble than i thought
- fs - Friday, Oct 2, 26 @ 1:31 pm:
== if people do not vote for him because the Bears moved out of state this country is in way more trouble than i thought==
I mean, we (as a country) elected someone who was mainly known for a few buildings and casinos (that went bankrupt), and hosting a reality tv show. A voter casting a ballot based on what happens with the Bears would be substantive in comparison
- Rich Miller - Friday, Oct 2, 26 @ 2:06 pm:
===a cozy Bears deal prior to announcing a run for president.===
C’mon, man. A cozy deal would knock him out of the campaign.
The real world doesn’t always work the way it does in your mind.
- NIU Grad - Friday, Oct 2, 26 @ 2:15 pm:
Mayor Johnson is always the “#1 __” in the world when asked about anything…even when he’s not being invited to the big-boy meetings.
The King of Bluster.
- Juice - Friday, Oct 2, 26 @ 2:24 pm:
What does it mean to be a consistent fan anyways?
Like, never cheering for the Packers?
Wanting to keep Mitch Trubisky as the starting quarterback?
Keep Eberflus? Or cheering the team on when they fired Eberflus?
I’m just baffled at what exactly he’s trying to say here?
- Dirty Red - Friday, Oct 2, 26 @ 2:24 pm:
= With Pat Ryan at the table, I am more optimistic a deal gets done… =
- every NFL owner
- Katie - Friday, Oct 2, 26 @ 2:55 pm:
I have family in Da Region and a spiteful enough heart that I would rather see the no-longer-Chicago Bears in NWI than Arlington Heights…but it was really absurd that anyone ever acted like that move was happening. If you never sat in the back seat of your parents’ car with your t-shirt pulled over your nose to cut the smell as they drove through Hammond, I don’t wanna hear you talking like the Wolf Lake entertainment district is real!
- DMC - Friday, Oct 2, 26 @ 3:21 pm:
Why does our Mayor sound just like Trump “I am the biggest Bears fan in Illinois”. It’s kind of scary. Again left and right go away.
- Southern Dude - Friday, Oct 2, 26 @ 3:30 pm:
== Also included in the meeting were House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch==
I’m sure he will get all the credit for a deal in hopes people will forget about his issues.
- Blue Dog - Friday, Oct 2, 26 @ 3:39 pm:
Rich. I was trying to make a joke but when ya hit 80 sometimes its not so effective.