In a significant turn of events, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker’s office officially turned down a stadium proposal put forth by the Chicago Bears.
The Governor’s top aides met with Bears officials regarding their plan requiring a significant subsidy package for extensive renovations and the building of a new stadium, a project estimated at nearly $2.3 billion.
Governor Pritzker’s firm stance on the matter was made clear by Press Secretary Alex Gough. The proposal was declared a “non-starter for the state,” demanding a tangible advantage for Illinois taxpayers before supplying taxpayers’ money for the initiative of a privately owned sports team.
Illinois governor's office meets with Bears, calls their stadium proposal "a non-starter." https://t.co/M7PAIMWvLR
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) May 2, 2024
“As the Governor has said, the current proposal is a non-starter for the state,” press secretary Alex Gough said in a statement after the meeting. “In order to subsidize a brand new stadium for a privately owned sports team, the Governor would need to see a demonstrable and tangible benefit to the taxpayers of Illinois. The Governor’s office remains open to conversations with the Bears, lawmakers, and other stakeholders with the understanding that responsible fiscal stewardship of tax-payer dollars remains the foremost priority.”
The Bears’ colossal proposal focuses on erecting a new stadium and undertaking major infrastructural renovations.
However, with the Governor’s rejection, the organization face an uphill task justifying the feasibility and benefits of their plan.
In contrast to the state governor, Chicago’s Mayor is beneficially aligned with the Bears’ stadium proposal. The divergence of opinions between state and city leaders has fueled further dialogues regarding the proposal’s future.
A widespread impact is expected in the wake of Governor Pritzker’s denial. The Chicago Bears must now find alternative strategies to fund their proposed project, which is likely to be a challenging endeavor.
