Gov. JB Pritzker said state leaders are prepping legislation on a new stadium for the Chicago Bears in Illinois, which could be voted on during the upcoming fall veto session.
Pritzker on Friday said the bill would give the team “the opportunity to choose where they want to build a stadium” in Arlington Heights or Chicago, as the Bears continue exploring a possible move out of state to Hammond, Indiana.
“We want to make sure the legislation is ready for people to look at and maybe have some hearings during that first week (of veto session) and then hopefully get voted on during the second week of veto,” Pritzker said at a news conference.
Pritzker’s comments come after NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell this week accompanied Bears chairman George McCaskey and president/CEO Kevin Warren to a meeting with Illinois legislators in Chicago, according to multiple reports.
Those parties “promised to have continued conversations about a path forward for a stadium in Arlington Heights or Chicago,” NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported Friday.
Goodell also met with Pritzker and other legislative leaders last month, which the governor’s office described as “a productive meeting focused on keeping the Bears in Illinois and protecting taxpayers.”
The Bears in a statement Friday said they “appreciate the recent engagement from Illinois leadership to explore legislation which has allowed us to share our feedback.”
“The Chicago Bears remain committed to building a world-class stadium and mixed-use district for our fans, the Chicagoland community and the team,” the team said in its statement.
“We expect productive dialogue with both leadership teams in the coming weeks,” the statement continued. “We have a responsibility and obligation to explore every option available to the club, and we look forward to developing a transformational project that will attract global events and deliver jobs and economic growth to all of Chicagoland.”
The Illinois legislature’s fall veto session is scheduled to begin Nov. 17.
