(670 The Score) Chicago mayor Brandon Johnson wants to maintain dialogue with Bears management about the team’s stadium future, hoping to keep them in the city along the lakefront.
Johnson is maintaining hope the Bears will remain in Chicago despite their public shift in focus toward the 326-acre property they own in suburban Arlington Heights, he told the Rahimi & Harris Show on Monday. However, he hasn't had conversations with them in the past two weeks, Johnson said when he was asked directly about that timeframe.
“Look, the Bears belong in the city of Chicago,” Johnson said. “And I believe that people know that. There’s a tremendous momentum. As you know, Joe Mansueto with the Fire, we’re talking about hundreds of million dollars to build a new stadium. The 1901 Project on the west side of Chicago, you’re talking about millions of dollars of investments.
“The (MLB) All-Star Game coming to the city of Chicago (in 2027) is proof positive that there’s a great deal of confidence that people have in our city, particularly as violent crime continues to go down. Homicides are down 32%, shooting victims are down almost 40%. We’re seeing unprecedented levels of investment. So, my door still remains open. And perhaps because I am a Cubs fan, I just remain optimistic, no matter what the circumstances are. But they really do belong in the city of Chicago.
“We’re on a nice little hot winning streak here. So, my door’s going to remain open. And the hope is that Chicago Bears fans will rally around this moment to challenge all of us to come together to figure out a path to make sure the 100-year history doesn’t end in this moment and we can set ourselves up for the next 100 years.”
In April 2024, Johnson joined Bears officials at Soldier Field for a ceremony to unveil plans for a stadium proposal along the lakefront at the property just south of Soldier Field.
The Bears closed on their purchase of the Arlington Park property in 2023 after reaching a purchase agreement on it in 2021. The team has since demolished the racecourse that previously occupied the site and settled a dispute over taxes that existed as recently as last year.
Early this year, Warren stated the Bears’ sole focus is on constructing in Arlington Heights.