The ongoing debate over the future home of the Chicago Bears took center stage last Thursday as Illinois lawmakers moved a key stadium bill forward. The Illinois House Public Finance Committee advanced legislation that would freeze property taxes for major projects like the proposed Bears stadium in Arlington Heights. However, the full House of Representatives did not vote on the measure and is not scheduled to reconvene in Springfield until March 18th.
Meanwhile, neighboring Indiana made its own move. Governor Mike Braun signed a bill creating the framework to potentially build a new stadium in Hammond. In response, the Bears issued a statement expressing gratitude for Governor Braun’s leadership in supporting the legislative effort.
As stadium talks heat up, Chicago officials are making a strong case for keeping the Bears within city limits. During a House committee hearing in Springfield, Chicago’s acting Chief Financial Officer Steve Mahr testified about the implications of the proposed stadium legislation. Mahr advocated for a new stadium on the Museum Campus, warning that relocating the team could have negative long-term effects for the city. He argued that if the state is willing to back infrastructure spending for a stadium elsewhere, similar support should be offered to keep the Bears at the Museum Campus.