On Thursday, Governor JB Pritzker opened his Loop campaign office to a rare in-person sit-down with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell minority owner Pat Ryan and a handful of top Illinois legislators. The purpose was clear: explore how the Chicago Bears might secure a long-term home within the state rather than crossing the state line to Hammond, Indiana.
Key participants at the Thursday meeting
The gathering marked the first known face-to-face encounter between Pritzker and Goodell, who have exchanged calls and texts for nine months while the Bears chase a tax-certainty-free stadium deal. In addition to the governor and the commissioner, the table included Pat Ryan – a former Aon CEO with a $9 billion net worth and a major backer of Northwestern’s $875 million New Ryan Field. State leadership was represented by House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch Rep. Kam Buckner (whose district contains Soldier Field) and Sen. Bill Cunningham the Senate’s president pro tempore.
Legislative backdrop and previous proposals
Illinois lawmakers have wrestled with two competing stadium packages this year. The Illinois House passed a bill promising the Bears a local stadium authority that could shield the franchise from property taxes on a new venue, while the Senate advanced a different framework that never reached the House before the spring session closed. In June, the Bears’ board voted to move the project to Hammond, Indiana, after the state failed to align on a single bill. Yet the governor’s office says talks continued throughout the summer, with Deputy Gov. Andy Manar and Bears’ EVP Karen Murphy discussing legislative tweaks as recently as June 26.
The Arlington Heights site – a 326-acre tract the team purchased in – remains on the table. Goodell told reporters the league is still “looking at” the property, and the Bears have been balancing that option against Indiana’s promise of more than $1 billion for a publicly owned stadium.
What the talks could mean for the Bears’ home
Pritzker told reporters the meeting was “helpful” and that concrete action should occur during the upcoming fall veto session, which begins next month – roughly two weeks after the November 3 election. Lawmakers are slated to reconvene in Springfield Nov. 17-19 and again Dec. 1-3, providing a narrow window for a decisive tax-incentive package. The governor emphasized that moving quickly is “very important” and that the veto session is “exactly the right time.”
Pat Ryan’s presence underscores the business community’s interest in keeping the franchise home. His ties to Northwestern, shared alumni status with both Pritzker and Welch, and his role on the Bears’ board make him a natural conduit between the team and state officials. As Pritzker put it, “Having him at the table was very important,” noting that the Bears want every option on the table.
While Bears president Kevin Warren and Chairman George McCaskey were absent, the governor assured that they were aware of the meeting and that their continued engagement signals “a real opportunity.” Goodell, meanwhile, described his role as “listening and trying to be helpful.” The NFL issued a brief statement praising the chance to discuss a “long-term stadium solution” and stressing the need for “timely action.”
Ultimately, the next few weeks will reveal whether Illinois can craft a tax-certainty-free package that satisfies the Bears, or whether the franchise will seal a deal with Indiana, where lawmakers have already promised robust public funding. For now, the Thursday summit represents the most high-profile effort yet to keep the charter NFL franchise on Illinois soil.
