Pritzker Pushes May 31 Bill to Keep Bears in Illinois as Indiana Option Looms

6 articles · Updated · WLS-TV · May 22

May 31 is the deadline for Illinois lawmakers to pass a mega-projects bill that Gov. JB Pritzker says could keep the Chicago Bears from leaving the state.
The proposal is still being drafted and would give the Bears long-term property tax breaks for a privately financed stadium in Arlington Heights, with the Senate not returning until Monday after the holiday break.
Hammond, Indiana, remains the team's only alternative site after the Bears said again Thursday there is no viable Chicago option, framing the choice as Illinois versus Indiana.
Opposition inside the legislature could still derail the effort: Sen. Willie Preston called the Indiana threat a bluff and said lawmakers object to using public resources to aid a private business while taxpayers are struggling.
The stadium fight now competes with the state budget and other end-of-session priorities, leaving the Bears and the NFL waiting for a late-session decision.

Beyond tax breaks, what are the hidden environmental and infrastructure costs of the Bears' two potential new homes?

If the Bears win a massive tax break, will Arlington Heights residents ultimately pay more to fund their local schools?