Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson on Tuesday “mounted the legislative equivalent of a goal line stand against the Bears’ quest for the property tax break needed to pave the way for a domed stadium in Arlington Heights,” according to Fran Spielman of the CHICAGO SUN-TIMES. Hours before joining fellow Chicago area mayors in Springfield, Johnson “made it clear that he would use whatever political muscle he has to block the so-called megaprojects bill now before the Illinois Senate” after clearing the Illinois House April 22. Though Chicago is “no longer part of the conversation to build a domed stadium needed to keep the Bears in Illinois and stave off a move to Northwest Indiana,” Johnson is “still holding out hope to keep the Bears in the city.” Two years ago, Johnson joined Bears President Kevin Warren in unveiling plans for a domed lakefront stadium adjacent to Soldier Field that would have required $2.4B in public support, but the plan “went nowhere in Springfield.” Johnson on Tuesday said that he “has other stadium sites and ideas to keep the Bears in Chicago.” But Spielman notes Johnson “refused to reveal specifics.” Alternatives include “the 78, site of the new Chicago Fire stadium under construction; the Amtrak site near the 78 eyed by the White Sox for a new ballpark; the stalled One Central megaproject on rail yard land near Soldier Field; or the 49-acre Michael Reese Hospital site that the Bears have rejected as too narrow” (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 5/5).
Chicago mayor continues to push for Bears to stay in city
