NFL Puts Pressure on Illinois in Latest Bears Stadium Talks
Roger Goodell and JB Pritzker had their first face-to-face meeting.
The NFL is exerting pressure on Illinois leaders to reach a stadium deal for the Chicago Bears before it's too late. Commissioner Roger Goodell met with Governor JB Pritzker and other lawmakers, including House Speaker Emanuel Welch and Rep. Kam Buckner, marking their first face-to-face discussion about the proposed stadium. The NFL emphasized that timely action is crucial for the Bears to maintain their presence in Illinois.
The team is exploring a potential move to Hammond, Indiana, where state officials have already approved a funding package for a new stadium. Illinois leaders, on the other hand, have not been able to pass a stadium bill for the Bears during the spring legislative session. To revive the chances of securing an Illinois stadium bill, the upcoming fall veto session in November and early December will be crucial.
However, this will require political consensus among Illinois leaders, which was absent in the spring. The Bears had been seeking property tax certainty for a potential stadium in Arlington Heights and infrastructure support. Meanwhile, the team is also conducting due diligence on two potential sites in Hammond. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson remains optimistic about a deal in Hammond, believing that the Bears and the NFL are serious about closing the deal.
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