State willing to help Bears with new stadium at Michael Reese site, Speaker Welch says
CHICAGO - For the first time, Illinois lawmakers are signaling support for using taxpayer money to assist the Chicago Bears with a potential stadium project—if the team chooses the Michael Reese Hospital site near McCormick Place instead of the lakefront Museum Campus.
What We Know
House Speaker Chris Welch emphasized that the state is open to funding infrastructure improvements at the Michael Reese location, citing its potential to drive economic development in the area.
"If they choose a site like Michael Reese that could use economic development, that’s a different conversation," Welch said.
State Senator Kam Buckner, whose district includes the proposed site, confirmed that $466 million in surplus money is available to support infrastructure like roads and bridges.
Governor JB Pritzker is open to talks with the Bears regarding the Michael Reese site, according to sources.
The site, currently vacant, is owned by Farpoint Development, which has proposed mixed-use projects and reportedly even created stadium renderings to entice the Bears.
What We Don’t Know
While the Michael Reese site offers potential, its viability is uncertain. Bears CEO Kevin Warren has expressed concerns about the site’s size and challenges related to train tracks on the property.
Warren, who previously stated the team's focus is on the Museum Campus, has also highlighted Arlington Heights as a strong option, where the team already owns 326 acres.
What’s Next
The Bears aim to begin construction in 2025, with Warren emphasizing that momentum has been building.
"I remain steadfast the goal is to have shovels in the ground in 2025, and I’m confident we’ll have that," he said.