On Friday, the Chicago Bears organization announced it will advance its stadium development in Hammond, Indiana. Upon learning the news, State Senator Craig Wilcox (R-McHenry) 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. Unfortunately, this outcome is the direct result of a process that was marked by dysfunction, delay, and a complete lack of leadership from Governor JB Pritzker. The General Assembly had ample time to evaluate options and negotiate a responsible plan that could keep the Bears in Illinois while protecting taxpayers. Instead, lawmakers were presented with a hastily assembled proposal in the final hours of session and expected to vote on it without it being vetted by a committee and without enough time to really read it and understand its provisions.
“A proposal of this magnitude should have gone through committee hearings, received thorough vetting, and included clear and enforceable protections for taxpayers. Instead, the legislation was rushed through the process, required an amendment to fix sloppy errors, and failed to provide the safeguards many of us believed were essential.
“When one of Illinois’ most important economic assets was weighing its future, state leadership should have been fully engaged and working toward a serious solution. Instead, indecision and political maneuvering became the defining characteristics of this effort.
“I remain hopeful that this announcement is not the final chapter and that discussions can continue. However, if the Bears ultimately leave Illinois, it will stand as a stark example of what happens when the Governor fails to lead, major decisions are rushed through at the eleventh hour, and taxpayers are asked to accept a deal without the protections they deserve.”