Chicago Bears ‘close’ to deal on new stadium with officials: Report

Following statements from the Chicago Bears that they were focusing solely on the two sites in Hammond, Indiana, for their new stadium project, there appears to be some movement in Illinois not long after NFL commissioner Roger Goodell met with Gov. JB Pritzker earlier in October.

Per Greg Hinz of Crain’s Chicago Business, the Bears are “close” to reaching a deal with officials that would keep them in their original home, with the possibility of a vote coming in November from the Illinois legislature.

The legislation would allow a municipality to form an authority to own and operate the stadium in exchange for no property taxes being paid. There would be expenses for Illinois taxpayers who would foot the bill for surrounding infrastructure and new roads.

Chicago Bears close to Illinois deal

There was chatter from Pritzker and Chicago mayor Brandon Johnson that the Bears could remain in the Windy City. As of now, it appears “most likely” that the deal the Bears would agree to would be for Arlington Heights.

Last week, Indiana gov. Mike Braun said state officials have been in communication with the Bears a couple of times per week, though there has not been a lot of movement since the state entered the red zone.

“We’re doing a lot of the due diligence, especially when it comes to finding more real estate, and helping them do it,” Braun said, via WTHI-TV. “But it’s been plodding along. It might look like, well, it is not going to hit the finish line.

“It’s been said many times it’s in the red zone, but it’s still there. We are in communication a couple times per week.”

It seemed early on in the process the Bears were using Indiana as leverage to make Illinois give the team more favorable terms. Things appeared to turn in Indiana’s way during the spring and summer, but Illinois could be on4th-and-9y to making a score of their own.

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