Springfield, Illinois— On Friday, the Chicago Bears organization announced it will advance its stadium development in Hammond, Indiana. Upon learning the news, State Senator Darby Hills (R-Barrington Hills) issued the following statement:
“Like many Illinoisans, I want the Chicago Bears to stay in Illinois. They are part of our state’s identity, our history, and our economy, and losing them would be a major setback.
“Today’s announcement is frustrating because it did not have to get to this point. After months of discussion, Springfield ended session without a clear path forward, leaving chaos and uncertainty where leadership was needed.
“This is what a lack of leadership under one-party control looks like. Illinois had an opportunity to move the ball forward, but Springfield could not get it across the goal line. What we got instead were last-minute proposals, rushed timelines, unanswered questions, and no final agreement.
“There is still time to keep the Bears in Illinois, but the clock is running out. State leaders need to stop letting dysfunction drive the process and start working together on a transparent agreement that protects taxpayers while keeping this iconic franchise right here at home.”
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