The NFL's Chicago Bears announced this week an agreement to purchase the former Arlington International Racecourse in the northwest suburbs. The decision could potentially lead the team to move away from Soldier Field. Gov. J.B. Pritzker downplayed any rumblings of state financial incentives to keep the Bears in Chicago or help build a new multi-billion dollar facility. He referred to the team as "a private enterprise engaging with city governments to decide what’s best for them."
On this episode of State Week, we discuss what the Bears might be considering and look back at past governmental efforts to help sports franchises.
Our panel includes host Sean Crawford, Statehouse Editor Hannah Meisel, longtime statehouse reporter and observer Charlie Wheeler and Peter Hancock, a reporter for Capitol News Illinois.
