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* Tribune…
Though Democrats hold supermajorities in both the House and Senate and no legislation for the Bears could advance without them, Republicans in the minority say they haven’t heard anything from the team in about a year in seeking support.
“This has not been top of the list at all,” said state Sen. John Curran of Downers Grove, who leads the GOP minority in the chamber. “We’re engaged with our Democratic colleagues on a lot of issues. This has not been one (of them).”
The lack of effective clock management was one of the downfalls of the Bears’ last coach, Matt Eberflus. But it is an important part of the legislative process — though the Bears have appeared mostly unengaged in Springfield.
“I haven’t talked to a single member about the Bears,” House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch of Hillside said about the stadium issue.
“People are so focused on talking to their neighbors and getting (candidacy) petitions signed, and what they’re hearing at the doors is property taxes, grocery prices, gas prices — they’re talking about things around the kitchen table,” he said. “You know what they’re not talking about? The Chicago Bears.”
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Aug 18, 25 @ 1:10 pm
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I’m sure Chris is right about voters in most districts in and around Chicago. And the lack of serious discussiosn with legislative leaders and among members is apparent. It’s just not top-of-mind in the GA given our other challenges.
Every voter I talked to in the last two weeks has asked me about the Bears — but that’s cause I’m in Arlington Hts..
Comment by walker Monday, Aug 18, 25 @ 1:20 pm
Kevin Warren was on the FOX broadcast again touting 56,000 people being put to work to build the stadium.
Its a ridiculous number. Good accounting after SoFi was built in LA indicated 17,000 workers contributed to the construction of the facility.
The Bears offense finally looked “professional” last night under Ben Johnson. Kevin Warren needs a reboot in the front office on this issue too if he hopes that it moves forward anytime soon.
Comment by Cool Papa Bell Monday, Aug 18, 25 @ 1:24 pm
I can help….NO.
Last night Kevin Warren was on the broadcast talking about how this needs to get done and it is bringing all kinds of job. Sorry Kev, aside from temporary construction jobs it is only moving jobs from one place to another. He also said it would be a big value to Illinois which is a complete and utter canard.
Speaking as a rabid and lifelong Bears fan. No. Pay your own freight including taxes bub.
Comment by JS Mill Monday, Aug 18, 25 @ 1:26 pm
I’m not sure why the Bears organization is hellbent on getting something unique to them passed in Springfield when they could have availed themselves to a number of other financial incentives that every other new development is eligible for.
Comment by Boone's is Back Monday, Aug 18, 25 @ 1:31 pm
If I’m a legislator, I’m demanding to know what “property tax certainty” actually means in dollar figures. For reference, Willis Tower (highest valued cook county property (1.1B MV)) pays approx $53M annually in annual property tax. If they’re estimating anything less than that, I’m a hard no.
Comment by Sox Fan Monday, Aug 18, 25 @ 1:45 pm
So Kevin Warren spent more time talking about this with Greg Olsen than Chris Welch?
That is so Bears.
Comment by 47th Ward Monday, Aug 18, 25 @ 1:50 pm
I heard “President Warren” last night to. He doesn’t get it. They already got a free stadium.
The Bears can pay for their own stadium themselves. And donate any improvements because they are good citizens.
Comment by Jerry Monday, Aug 18, 25 @ 1:52 pm
If it were that economically viable, it’d be profitable. And if it’s profitable, then they (or anyone really) could just do it themselves without a dollar of public money.
Comment by Skeptic Monday, Aug 18, 25 @ 1:58 pm
I don’t think the Bears want to leave before 2033 when their lease ends. They probably do not need anything to pass this fall. No idea what is the strategy behind doing a bunch of media appearances that make it seem like you need legislation then not doing the actual work with the General Assembly to pass the legislation.
Comment by Three Dimensional Checkers Monday, Aug 18, 25 @ 2:06 pm
– So Kevin Warren spent more time talking about this with Greg Olsen than Chris Welch? –
I want to applaud this observation.
Well done 47th Ward
Comment by Casper the Ghost Bus Monday, Aug 18, 25 @ 2:18 pm
=== Well done 47th Ward ===
Seconded.
Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Aug 18, 25 @ 2:20 pm
The Bears seem to be taking Springfield engagement advice from Brandon Johnson. I fully anticipate Kevin Warren telling his next national tv audience how the state owes the Bears $1B.
Comment by Pundent Monday, Aug 18, 25 @ 2:28 pm
Bears are valued at 8.8B, with its value growing at a 12% cagr over the last couple of decades. At that rate, Bears will be worth 48B by 2040, an increase of 39B in 15 years.
If I were a Chicago lawmaker, I’d tell the Bears: Your move will negatively impact my constituents. Your asset is projected to increase in value by almost 40B by 2040.
You want my support? You establish a 8B endowment to be managed by Chicago civic leaders, and which will benefit Chicago’s working and middle-class
Comment by The Farm Grad Monday, Aug 18, 25 @ 2:30 pm
“I don’t think the Bears want to leave before 2033 when their lease ends.”
The absolutely do. Kevin wasted two years thinking he could get public financing done, which the McCaskey’s need as they can’t borrow enough to build a stadium. Int he two years blown, I’ve seen estimates that the costs have risen by over $1.5 billion. They already couldn’t afford it. Ever day they wait makes it more and more unaffordable. The amount of equity they can sell is very small and they can only borrow $900 million per NFL franchise rules.
Comment by Save Ferris Monday, Aug 18, 25 @ 2:56 pm
===The amount of equity they can sell is very small ===
Unless they sell it all. Just sayin
Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Aug 18, 25 @ 3:04 pm
“Unless they sell it all. Just sayin”
There are 70+ heirs who want their cash.
Comment by Save Ferris Monday, Aug 18, 25 @ 3:14 pm
It appears earlier must have been lost in supply chain delays
What is the GOPie Senate Leader thinkin’? Does he have “yes” votes? Can he overcome Illinoisans still steamed because McCaskey/Mr. D braintrust destroyed one of the best racetracks in America for no good reason.
BTW you don’t need to sell equity…borrow and repay ala Trump
Comment by Annon'in Monday, Aug 18, 25 @ 3:26 pm