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Bears executives are set to meet with Gov. JB Pritzker’s chief of staff, Anne Caprara, and Deputy Gov. Andy Manar on May 1, the governor’s office confirmed. It will be the first formal sit-down between the governor’s staff and the team on the plan.

* The Question: What’s your prediction(s) for that meeting? Snark is heavily encouraged.

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Apr 30, 24 @ 12:11 pm

Comments

I predict…

It lasts five minutes and ends in massive laughter.

Comment by Save Ferris Tuesday, Apr 30, 24 @ 12:14 pm
They key question: Will COS Caprara be wearing an Eagles jersey…

Comment by NIU Grad Tuesday, Apr 30, 24 @ 12:15 pm
There’s $20 million in the envelope, Governor…

Comment by twowaystreet Tuesday, Apr 30, 24 @ 12:16 pm
The Bears front office is there to evaluate Pritzker as a potential upgrade at center.

Comment by sulla Tuesday, Apr 30, 24 @ 12:18 pm
Manar and Caprara to the Bears: Thanks for coming down leave your “one pager” on the table, we have softball game to get to.

Comment by Give Me A Break Tuesday, Apr 30, 24 @ 12:19 pm
Honestly I’d sign JB at center. We don’t have much depth there anyways. That conversation would probably be more productive than asking for somewhere between $1-3b in state funding.

Comment by Anon1 Tuesday, Apr 30, 24 @ 12:19 pm
The late Phil Wrigley said it best:

“The answer is NO. Don’t let the door hit you on the way out.”

The former owner of the Chicago Cubs refused a proposal to rebuild his ballpark to suit the specific needs of George Halas and the Chicago Bears.

Comment by Gravitas Tuesday, Apr 30, 24 @ 12:21 pm
It is May Day the Bears have no sense of irony. Pritzker should seize the team for the people of Illinois

Comment by DuPage Saint Tuesday, Apr 30, 24 @ 12:22 pm
Are you now or have you ever been a member of the Chinese Communist Party?

Comment by Back to the Future Tuesday, Apr 30, 24 @ 12:23 pm
If you can get the Gaza hostiges released, maybe we can find a way to help you…….

Comment by Downstate Surveyor Tuesday, Apr 30, 24 @ 12:24 pm
Pain

Comment by Donnie Elgin Tuesday, Apr 30, 24 @ 12:30 pm
“Would you consider relocating the Bears to Bunker Hill?”

Comment by NonAFSCMEStateEmployeeFromChatham Tuesday, Apr 30, 24 @ 12:36 pm
Not ruling anything out until veto
If nothing after veto/lame then fine it’s dead but not until after then.

Comment by Eire17 Tuesday, Apr 30, 24 @ 12:39 pm
Bears reps: Well, the hard part is done. We already negotiated the state funding aspect with the mayor, so what’s left to talk about?

(uncomfortable silence)

Comment by George Ryan Reynolds Tuesday, Apr 30, 24 @ 12:39 pm
Shovels start digging by Cinco de Mayo

Comment by Jose Abreu's Next Homer Tuesday, Apr 30, 24 @ 12:44 pm
To paraphrase Jeff Goldblum on Late Night with Conan O’Brien…

“How dare you speak to me.”

Comment by TJ Tuesday, Apr 30, 24 @ 12:45 pm
Mr. Warren, you can have our answer now, if you like. Our final offer is this: nothing. Not even the fee for the construction permit, which I would appreciate if you would put up personally.

Comment by Save Ferris Tuesday, Apr 30, 24 @ 12:46 pm
Since Dep. Gov Manar has been known to view a horse race or two let’s predict question #1 is when the McCaskey rebuild of Arlington Park be complete? Very appropriate for Derby weekend.

Comment by Annonin' Tuesday, Apr 30, 24 @ 12:49 pm
CBs “So, umm if we can get the Visiting team to relocate to a hotel on East Wacker, would that help move the ball? “

Comment by NorthsideNoMore Tuesday, Apr 30, 24 @ 12:50 pm
Kevin Warren will take out his pocket watch and tell Anne (in a soothing tone), “You’re getting verrry sleepy.”

After several uncomfortable minutes, Kevin will exclaim “But it worked on MBJ and SDG (exclamation point)”

Comment by Jocko Tuesday, Apr 30, 24 @ 12:53 pm
This is one of those moments when it is really too bad the legislative reporters Gridiron dinner and its Pickle Award are not around. This year might be a double winner Bears Stadium Scheme AND “reorg” of public transportation.

Comment by Annonin' Tuesday, Apr 30, 24 @ 12:57 pm
Caprara tweets that she’s appalled to learn the Bears have no women on their roster. “In Illinois, we trust women. But apparently that doesn’t extend to their so-called football franchise,” says Caprara. She then replies to her own tweet with a link to the Eagles’ depth chart, saying, “Wow, nobody is going to beat us this season! #FlyEaglesFly”

Comment by Torco Sign Tuesday, Apr 30, 24 @ 1:02 pm
“The Trade Federation representatives are cowards, my padawan; the negotiations will be short…”

Comment by Give Us Barabbas Tuesday, Apr 30, 24 @ 1:03 pm
Maybe they’ll come in asking for government subsidies to rebuild the horse track instead.

Comment by StarLineChicago Tuesday, Apr 30, 24 @ 1:06 pm
“Remind us again how much your 19% minority partner in the franchise is worth?”

Comment by ChicagoBars Tuesday, Apr 30, 24 @ 1:15 pm
I predict a sack of the QB. They are walking away from today with nothing…not moving the ball down the field one inch.

Comment by New Day Tuesday, Apr 30, 24 @ 1:16 pm
You’ve got over $200 million of sunk costs for a 326 acre vacant lot in Arlington Heights. You could do almost anything you want on that property.

Instead you are looking to build on the most lawsuit prone property in the world? Are you willing to foot the legal fees to build on the lake front?

Friends of the Park got rid of the Lincoln Park Gun Club and the Lucas Museum. Just think what they’re going to do to your stadium idea.

Let me give you some advice, make peace with Arlington Heights and the schools. Build and own the stadium. It makes good financial sense.

Comment by Huh? Tuesday, Apr 30, 24 @ 1:18 pm
Andy to the Bears, if you can get it out of the House, the Senate can fix it.

Comment by Give Me A Break Tuesday, Apr 30, 24 @ 1:22 pm
Manar offers them the money only if they move back to Decatur and revive the Staleys nickname.

Comment by Arsenal Tuesday, Apr 30, 24 @ 1:22 pm
Maybe there will be a joint press conference after where they announce an agreement to have the City of Chicago fund the new stadium. Turnabout is fair play, and the Bears seem happy to accept any fictional money they’re offered.

Comment by vern Tuesday, Apr 30, 24 @ 1:29 pm
Governor’s office should kick off the meeting with proposed architectural changes and other recommendations including concession options, excitement on the potential concerts and events at the stadium. “Do you think we can get Taylor Swift to play here?!” Before the Bears can make their official ask for taxpayer support. Then when they do ask, JB will act super deflated letting them know that’s not an option and wish the team well in their new digs in Salt Lake City or wherever. Then he’d turn to Andy and say how could it would have been to see Taylor at the new stadium. If only the team wasn’t so cash poor and bad at public and government relations.

Comment by ClJ Tuesday, Apr 30, 24 @ 1:30 pm
How long does it take for Anne to bring up that Jake Elliot is an Illinois native?

Comment by ArchPundit Tuesday, Apr 30, 24 @ 1:43 pm
So how much you want for the whole team?

MK and I need something to do on weekends.

Comment by Bruce( no not him) Tuesday, Apr 30, 24 @ 1:49 pm
I think the big question is: Why would we build a modern professional football stadium if we don’t have a modern professional football team to play in it?

(I am a lifelong fan of Da Bears, but I have no delusions regarding the current state of the team and especially not its “management”.)

Comment by Pot calling kettle Tuesday, Apr 30, 24 @ 1:54 pm
Anne mocks them for drafting a punter in the 4th round.

Comment by Dance Band on the Titanic Tuesday, Apr 30, 24 @ 1:55 pm
Donation Arlington Park to the park district or you’re not serious

Comment by Rabid Tuesday, Apr 30, 24 @ 1:59 pm
“To make a long story short: No. To make a long story long: Noooooooooooooooo. Any questions?”

Comment by @misterjayem Tuesday, Apr 30, 24 @ 2:02 pm
“Where are Caleb and Rome?”

Comment by Vote Quimby Tuesday, Apr 30, 24 @ 2:18 pm
Question of the day. Who’s going to Johnnie’s Beef in Elwood Park to pick up lunch? Cash only.

Comment by Rudy’s teeth Tuesday, Apr 30, 24 @ 2:27 pm
Capara/Manar: $3 Billion cash. Final offer.

Warren: “Really? Wow that is awesome! We will go back to the mayor and let him know state financing is all sewn up. I knew the governor would see our side!”

Capara: “Ummm… you tell him Andy.”

Manar: “Uh yeah, you don’t seem to really understand, that is the governors offer for the team. Cash. Offer expires in 24hrs.”

Warren: “Wait, what?”

Comment by JS Mill Tuesday, Apr 30, 24 @ 2:35 pm
Pritzker to become starting fullback next season.

Comment by Bud Grant Tuesday, Apr 30, 24 @ 2:45 pm
Capara with the hard hit, and Manar recovers for a safety. Gov’s office 2, Bears 0

Comment by SKI Tuesday, Apr 30, 24 @ 3:39 pm
The closest the Bears will come to scoring will be a double-doink.

Comment by Keyrock Tuesday, Apr 30, 24 @ 3:55 pm
Capara wears an Eagles jersey, unwraps a cheesesteak for lunch and declares there will be no talks until the Bears apologize for the 1988 Fog Bowl.

Comment by Friday Addams Tuesday, Apr 30, 24 @ 5:28 pm
I say their chances are as good as being fourth down with 100 yards left to the goal.

Comment by Shytown Tuesday, Apr 30, 24 @ 5:29 pm
That the Bears will have a 4,000 yard passer before they get a dime of Springfield money for a new stadium…

Comment by Just a guy Tuesday, Apr 30, 24 @ 5:44 pm
Hopefully no change from what the governor has said out loud so far. Put it in Arlington Heights where it belongs.

Comment by Really Tuesday, Apr 30, 24 @ 7:03 pm
** Mayor Julie Moore Wolfe and Decatur City Hall kick in the door **

We propose moving the Decatur Staleys to the ADM Dome along Lake Decatur.

Comment by Dirty Red Tuesday, Apr 30, 24 @ 9:30 pm
Remember the infamous “double doink” missed field goal? I expect this to end with a triple doink, with the ball bouncing off the Speaker first, then the Senate President, and finally with the Governor’s office before falling silently, helplessly to the ground, deflating the hopes of the Bears once again.

If only Chris Collinsworth was here to do play by play on the call…

Comment by 47th Ward Tuesday, Apr 30, 24 @ 10:44 pm