Illinois House passes bill to aid Bears stadium
NBC Sports • • sports
Key Points:
- The Illinois House of Representatives passed a bill offering a property-tax incentive to the Bears for building a new stadium on their Arlington Heights property, aiming to reduce the team's tax burden through negotiated payments.
- The 376-page bill, significantly expanded from its original draft, is part of broader governmental incentives designed to keep the Bears from relocating out of Illinois, with the Senate now set to review the measure.
- The Bears expect to know by early summer whether Illinois can finalize a deal to retain the team, as Indiana remains a ready alternative to build a stadium.
- A Chicago Tribune poll indicates only 38% of fans would continue supporting the Bears if they left Illinois, though fan loyalty is generally strong despite relocation threats.
- Indiana's stadium offer appears primarily to pressure Illinois into action, and this strategy seems to be influencing the ongoing negotiations.
