NFL Commish Visits Potential Stadium Sites As Bears Talk Infrastructure With Pritzker

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL — Asked about reports of National Football League Commissioner Roger Goodell and members of the Chicago Bears top brass visiting potential stadium sites in Arlington Heights and northwest Indiana over the weekend, Gov. JB Pritzker shifted gears to instead talk about the team's upcoming playoff matchup with the Los Angeles Rams.

"I'm more and more excited about the prospect the Bears might actually get to the Super Bowl again," Pritzker said Tuesday during a press conference at the Illinois State University campus. "So, we're going to crush the Rams this weekend, which I'm looking forward to. Bears always beat Rams, not always in football, but in every other way."

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Chicago Tribune is reporting Goodell, along with Bears President Kevin Warren and Chairman George McCaskey, toured the former Arlington International Racecourse site Saturday, as well as two potential stadium sites in northwest Indiana. The newspaper said, according to a source, the visits occurred prior to the team's thrilling win over the Packers. The league may loan $200 million or more to any stadium project approved by league owners.

Last month, Warren said the Bears are once again expanding the stadium search beyond Arlington Heights, including a potential move to Indiana. The team sent out a survey to fans earlier this week asking what they think about building a new stadium in the Hoosier State.

"This is not about leverage," Warren said in December about considering a move to Indiana. "We spent years trying to build a new home in Cook County. We invested significant time and resources evaluating multiple sites and rationally decided on Arlington Heights. Our fans deserve a world-class stadium."

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In his remarks Tuesday, Pritzker compared the Bears to any private business in the state, adding the team recently reached out to his office regarding infrastructure needs related to building a new stadium in Illinois.

"As I've said, and the Bears have heard this, that we're not going to build a stadium for the Chicago Bears. We have offered to do a number of things, still talking as we always do with the Bears about how best to meet their needs," Pritzker said. "I want what's best for the taxpayers in the end, and we're going to make sure we do the best that we can for the Bears, but most of all, that we're not wasting taxpayer money."

In February 2023, the Bears closed on a $197.2 million property agreement to buy the 326-acre property that housed the former Arlington Park racetrack. The Village of Arlington Heights announced in October that it could receive at least $15 million annually, or $510 million over 40 years, if the Bears move forward with redeveloping the site with a modern NFL stadium and complementary mixed-use district. Officials said they have received two preliminary Economic Impact Reports submitted by the Bears.

"We encourage our Illinois State legislators to move forward with the Megaproject bill," Arlington Heights Mayor Jim Tinaglia said last month. "This legislation will help to keep the Chicago Bears in Illinois, within the limits of Cook County, and ultimately – in Arlington Heights."

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Pritzker noted that the infrastructure needs of the Bears are also those of Arlington Heights and the nearby area, with some of the projects already planned prior to stadium discussions as part of the Rebuild Illinois Capital Program.

"So, I think that gives me some optimism that really there is a package that could be put together that would help with infrastructure," Pritzker said. "It also requires those local governments to understand that when businesses are thinking about moving to their area, that they expect to be able to do something about property taxes for some period of time. That's not something the state controls."

One of the potential sites in Indiana is near Wolf Lake in Hammond, according to the Chicago Tribune report. While many have scoffed at the idea of the Bears moving to another state, Indiana Gov. Mike Braun says he's all in.

"The Chicago Bears recognize Indiana’s pro-business climate, and I am ready to work with them to build a new stadium in Northwest Indiana," Braun said. "This move would deliver a major economic boost, create jobs, and bring another premier NFL franchise to the Hoosier State. Let’s get it done."