On Friday, the Chicago Bears organization announced it will advance its stadium development in Hammond, Indiana. Upon learning the news, State Senator Don DeWitte (R-St. Charles) issued the following statement:
“Today’s announcement that the Chicago Bears will move forward with their stadium development project in Hammond, Indiana is deeply disappointing and represents a major failure of leadership by Governor JB Pritzker and other leaders who had the power to keep this franchise in Illinois. Despite today’s announcement, I remain hopeful this is not the final chapter and that there is still an opportunity to keep the Bears in our state. Few organizations are as deeply woven into our state’s identity as the Chicago Bears.
“Throughout this process, Governor Pritzker failed to demonstrate the urgency, engagement, and leadership necessary to secure the future of one of Illinois’ most important economic engines. The governor had a responsibility to bring stakeholders together, facilitate serious negotiations, and make the case that Illinois was committed to keeping the Bears. Instead, he chose to sit on the sidelines while the session clock ticked down to zero.
“While Governor Pritzker bears the greatest responsibility for where we find ourselves today, he is not alone. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Democrat leaders in the Senate and House also share responsibility for failing to provide the leadership and vision needed to keep the Bears in Illinois. At every level of government, Illinois leaders had an opportunity to come together around a solution. Instead, they allowed indecision, political posturing, and inaction to put one of Illinois’ most valuable assets at risk.
“I hope Illinois still has an opportunity to keep this team. But if the Bears ultimately leave for Indiana, it will stand as one of the greatest economic and cultural failures in recent state history. It will also be a lasting reminder of a governor who, when faced with a challenge that required leadership, simply failed to govern.”