Gov. JB Pritzker and Illinois legislative leaders defended their decision on June 1 to adjourn the latest session without passing a stadium incentives package for the Chicago Bears, leaving open the possibility that the team could pursue a deal in Indiana. At a news conference about five hours after lawmakers concluded an all-night session, Pritzker said that while he recognizes the Bears as “the pride and joy of Illinois,” he was not willing to commit billions of taxpayer dollars to support a privately owned football team.
“That might happen,” Pritzker said regarding the potential for the Bears to accept Indiana’s offer of $1 billion in public subsidies. “But the reality is: I wasn’t willing to give up billions of dollars of taxpayer money in order to give it to a billionaire-owned family or team … as much emotional connection as many of us have to the Bears and to keeping them in the city of Chicago or the state of Illinois.”
Pritzker indicated willingness to work with House lawmakers over summer on a stadium package, though House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch said he was not considering calling a special session. Welch explained that bill language from the Senate arrived too late for proper consideration, saying, “It came over late … we didn’t have time to digest it. We didn’t have time to find out what other folks thought of it. We need to have some feedback from our members before asking them to vote for it on the floor, particularly in the wee morning hours.”
The proposed legislation would have allowed five Cook County municipalities with populations over 70,000—including Arlington Heights and Chicago—to create local stadium authorities capable of issuing revenue bonds for construction projects funded by local taxes and private contributions. This would potentially allow property tax exemptions for new stadiums but stop short of providing direct state subsidies.
Arlington Heights Mayor Jim Tinaglia criticized lawmakers’ failure to pass an incentives structure: “We are truly disappointed with the outcome from the spring legislative session yet again…this is clearly a fumble for the State of Illinois.” The Chicago Bears reiterated they remain on track with their timeline for deciding their future home but did not comment directly on specifics within Senate proposals.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson expressed gratitude that senators passed legislation offering options for retaining an NFL franchise within city limits through public ownership frameworks. Meanwhile, Rep. Kam Buckner said there remains “still time” this summer, “to answer questions, refine concepts, build consensus, and continue discussions with…all stakeholders involved.”