The Bears have seen signs of progress with the Illinois legislation they want to build a new stadium in Arlington Heights, Ill., rather than relocate to Indiana, which rolled out the financial and political red carpet. But a legislative win in Illinois is far from certain, and this week a strong statement of opposition from Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson raised fresh doubts about their path.
Johnson spoke out against the so-called “megaprojects” deal now in front of the Illinois Senate, promising to use, according to the Chicago Sun-Times, “whatever political muscle he has” to block the bill. “I don’t know why any Chicago legislator would vote for anything that doesn’t benefit the people they represent,” Johnson said.
On Wednesday, there were signs he’d had success. Chicago Democratic Senator Willie Preston, who is also senate chair of the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus, said he’s with the mayor and opposes the legislation, which would enable major developers across the state, including the Bears, to negotiate long-term property tax breaks with local jurisdictions.
If true, Preston’s opposition could be curtains for the Illinois stadium plan. But then Preston later said he was misinterpreted, and it’s not clear where the Senate Democrats or the Black Caucus stands.
The thing about Johnson’s desire to keep the team in Chicago is that it seems far too little, too late. Unless the Bears are playing a very elaborate word game, the choice now is Indiana or the suburbs — Chicago’s simply not in the mix. If Johnson’s successful, the result would be to start construction in Indiana, not more negotiations.
The Bears have been clear that, while they have a viable option across the state line, they are giving Illinois legislators a chance to develop their own offer, and that they intend to make a decision before the start of training camp. Furthermore, the notion that the Bears have options to build inside Chicago city limits is a year out of date.
To sincerely play this hand, Johnson must believe at least one of three things: 1) The Bears aren’t serious about moving to Hammond; 2) That moving to Hammond would be better for Chicagoans than a move to Arlington Heights (it is closer to the city); or 3) The Bears aren’t serious about deciding by this summer.
Early on, there had been speculation that the Indiana option is just a “stalking horse,” but by now the Bears are repeatedly on record about their plans. It would be quite a bet for Johnson to gamble on them backtracking. Then again, perhaps Johnson knows Chicago has lost the Bears and he’s just trying to save face.
If there’s good news for the Bears and the Illinois cause, it’s that being mayor of Chicago isn’t what it used to be. When it comes twisting arms in the state government, Brandon Johnson is no Mayor Richard J. Daley. But he doesn’t have to be. If his view of the world holds sway with even a few Chicago Democrats in the state house and Senate, then the vote counting gets that much harder.
