Illinois and Indiana have both introduced their own bills to lure the Chicago Bears out of the city.
The House Public Finance Committee advanced a bill Thursday that would freeze property taxes on major projects like the Bears stadium in Arlington Heights.
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But Illinois House members adjourned without voting on the bill.
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They won’t return to Springfield until March 18.
So far, the state has failed to work on improving infrastructure and determining property taxes.
An amendment introduced by Chicago-area state Rep. Kam Buckner outlines infrastructure tax credits the state would offer to entice the Bears to build in Arlington Heights, where the McCaskey family already owns the old Arlington Race Course.
Governor JB Pritzker talks about the Battle of the Bears on MS NOW.
“I’m not going to be swayed, and I’ve laid out some very clear guidelines. My guidelines are we’re not going to shortchange the taxpayers of the state of Illinois. We’re not going to let the Bears do that,” Pritzker said.
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The bill needs approval from the full House before Pritzker can sign it.
Arlington Heights residents and some Bears fans showed up to Springfield on Thursday.
“The Bears belong in the state of Illinois, period. George Stanley Halas would be turning over in his grave if he knew they would even leave the city of Chicago, let alone the state of Illinois,” said Bears fan Marty Tadela.
The revised megaprojects bill was due to be heard last week but was canceled at the last minute.
In Indiana, the state Senate voted 45-4 to pass a bill to build a new Chicago Bears stadium.
Gov. Mike Braun said Thursday afternoon that he signed the bill.
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“We have been clear from the beginning that Indiana is open for business. I am pleased to sign Senate Bill 27 to create the framework for building a new world-class stadium in northwest Indiana,” he said. “Now let’s get over the goal line.”
Technically, the city of Chicago is still trying to keep the Bears.
