Chicago Bears take drastic measure with Illinois lobbyists on stadium

The Chicago Bears publicly say they are solely focused on building a new stadium in Hammond, Indiana.

The Bears have no deal in place with Illinois lawmakers after failing to see a megaprojects bill pass during the spring session. No special session was called in the summer.

While the Bears appeared to point out that things were headed in a direction of the new stadium being built in Northwest Indiana, there are some rumblings that the team is fighting to stay in Illinois, including NFL commissioner Roger Goodell meeting with state lawmakers on Thursday.

More News : Roger Goodell meets with Illinois lawmakers amid Chicago talk

Chicago Bears changed lobbyists

More News: Bears’ Kevin Warren slips up on disappointment with Indiana move

Per Isabel Miller of capitolfax.com, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker told reporters on Friday that the Bears made a drastic change to try and get something done with the legislature, hiring new lobbyists in the hopes of getting a bill passed.

“They’ve got to come forward and figure out what it is that will work with the legislature,” Pritzker said. “They have had an occasional conversation with various legislators they think are useful to talk to that they’ve chosen. That’s great. They have talked to my office on occasion to check in with us to ask questions so that they can do the work that they need to do.

“But it is up to the Bears to make sure that they’re clear about how they’re going to get something working with the legislature. They’ve hired new lobbyists, and they’re working with those lobbyists, and I hope with members of the legislature to push something through.”

Pritzker, who said on Thursday that he remains hopeful the Bears will remain in Chicago or move to Arlington Heights, reminded his audience on Friday that the legislature failed to pass “everything” the team wanted to build its stadium in the state.

He questioned the Bears’ resolve.

“It’s up to those who want to get something from the state government to put the votes together on a bill that will pass,” Pritzker said. “And so the question really is, what is it that they’re willing to compromise on to make sure that the state government, the legislature, the governor can support it?

“I’ve been very clear about what principle number one for me is, which is I’m not going to saddle the taxpayers with building a stadium for a $9 billion-valued team and business.”

Pritzker said he has not spoken to Bears chairman George McCaskey or CEO/president Kevin Warren after their news conference on Thursday. Pritzker believes the Bears want to stay in Illinois, but noted the team has not come up with a new solution for a bill that would pass.

For More Chicago Sports:

Follow me on Twitter at @JordanSig, and follow us @ChiCitySports23. You can also reach out to Jordan Sigler via email at jordanmsigler@gmail.com. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in ALL of Chicago sports, click here! Chicago Bears, Chicago Bulls, Chicago Cubs, For more on the NCAA, head to Newsweek Sports.Chicago White Sox, Chicago Blackhawks

The post Chicago Bears take drastic measure with Illinois lobbyists on stadium appeared first on ChiCitySports.