NFL commissioner takes drastic action as Bears warned of ‘hazardous’ material at new $5bn stadium site

The Chicago Bears brought out the big guns in an attempt to finally lock down a site for a new stadium.

After months of negotiations, a plot in Arlington Heights is up against a cross-state proposal in Hammond, Indiana, when the team leaves Soldier Field.

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The NFL requested an update at this week’s owners’ meetings in Orlando, Florida, and commissioner Roger Goodell wielded his personal influence to get results.

“There was a report on all of the stadium projects,” he revealed. “We’re in the midst of what we would call a very significant stadium construction period and/or significant renovations.

“There was a specific update on the Bears with respect to the two sites that they are evaluating that are viable in the Bears’ mind and others, in ours. One in Illinois and one in Indiana.

“That process is going on. The legislature in Illinois is obviously focused on that. They’re getting into the final days of their session.

“I’ve spoken to the governor recently. I think there’s a focus on trying to get something done there, and then they’ll have two viable sites that the Bears can make their decision from.”

Illinois’ legislature has been unable to keep pace with its rival across state lines as Indiana lawmakers rolled out the welcome mat.

Goodell’s meeting with Gov. JB Pritzker — a supporter of the Arlington Heights bid — should help push things along.

Pritzker criticized Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson Monday.

“I know that the mayor has no plan,” he said. “He has come up with no plan at all about how the Bears would end up [staying] in the City of Chicago.

“I’d love them to be in the city, but we are three years in now, and he still has no plan.

Chicago Bears / Manica

Chicago Bears / Manica

“This is kind of typical. The mayor has shown up every spring at the end of session to pronounce what he would like to see happen.

“And as you know, the budget gets put together starting in November. To show up in May and have a bunch of demands seems like late in the game, and it’s unfortunate that’s happened most years.”

A spokesman for the Office of the Mayor of Chicago responded to the allegations in a statement to WGN-TV.

“For the past two years, the City has continued to advocate for a publicly owned stadium and has not supported the advancement of a privately owned stadium,” it began. “The City’s proposal remains the only plan centered on public ownership alongside a funding mechanism that does not burden property taxpayers while keeping the Bears in Chicago.

“We look forward to continuing to work with the legislature, the State, and all stakeholders to advance a solution that centers the needs of working Illinoisans while preserving the Bears’ future in Chicago.”

The Bears ownership is willing to fund a $3.2 billion domed stadium but wants help in building infrastructure for a mixed-use development that is estimated to cost $5 billion in total.

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HB 910 — a bill granting the franchise a 40-year-freeze on property tax — passed in the House on April 22 and currently sits in committee during the Senate’s legislative session, which ends on May 31.

“Governor Pritzker has been clear and consistent for years that the Bears should remain in Illinois, and that any legislation needs to protect taxpayers,” a statement from Pritzker’s office read. “Throughout the past few months, the Governor’s Office brought team leadership, local officials, and legislative partners to the table to craft a deal around public infrastructure improvement, property tax fairness, and affordability measures.

“Today is an important step, and the Governor’s Office looks forward to working with the Illinois General Assembly to advance a bill that reflects our shared priorities.”

Chicago Bears nearing stadium deadline

The Bears set the end of May as a decision deadline, meaning the vote would have to make it to Pritzker’s desk this session.

Arlington Heights’ mayor Jim Tinaglia trained as an architect and told the Bears to be wary of the rival site across state lines.

Per the Chicago Tribune, the proposed location is surrounded by slag, treated human waste, hazardous waste sites, an oil tank storage complex, and the Midwest’s largest oil refinery.

“I would throw up the red caution flags immediately,” Tinaglia said. “I’ve worked on enough sites with gas stations or dry cleaners or some sort of hazardous material to know it contaminates the ground. I would be very concerned about selecting a site like that.”

Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr. hit back.

“I understand people want to take a close look, but the Bears know far more about environmental concerns in that area than any of us, because they’re spending millions of dollars on it,” he said.

It has taken an age, but Bears fans should know where their new home will be built in weeks.

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