CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) The Bears’ proposal for a domed stadium on the lakefront has private and public funds as well as public improvements to the Museum Campus, according to a new report.
The team has been meeting with Chicago mayor Brandon Johnson to develop a game plan for fending off a lawsuit from Friends of the Park, like the one that prompted George Lucas to not build his museum here.
One estimate for a domed stadium is from $2.5 billion to $3 billion, Crain’s Chicago Business reported.
The NFL could loan up to $400 million for the project, but that would require the team to get some public assistance, state representative and former Illini football player Kam Buckner said.
The team is hoping infrastructure improvements will help seal the deal, but those will significantly add to the cost.
State senate president Don Harmon’s request that the Bears work with the White Sox on any stadium financing proposal was a smart move, according to a stadium consultant.