Mark Grody

The Bears have consistently said Hammond and Arlington Heights are the only two sites in play.

What are they doing?

Based on Brandon Johnson's statement yesterday, it was safe to say that there was some play that had been pulled among the Chicago caucus.

Maria Pappas even appearing on our station would give you the indication that there was some sort of interest as to what the city had outside of them being out of the mix.

J.B.

Pritzker had previously said last week that there's no plan from the mayor of Chicago.

Those were his exact words.

And then we found out from Marianne Ahern, who reports alongside Paris, that the Chicago caucus did not vote at the Senate in favor of the pilot bill, which didn't just help the bears.

It would have helped other megaprojects.

And as the governor mentioned, 38 other states have one.

Illinois is behind on this.

And now we hear this, that there was some sort of clandestine set of discussions going on behind the scenes that not only undermined a bill that was going to work to help business in the state, but that a plan that I cannot for any good reason see Chicago taxpayers supporting in any way, shape or form in any modicum of extra tax money going to something like this.

I think from the Brandon Johnson side of it is this last-ditch effort to try to save what political capital you think you have because multiple reports say some big names are interested in running for mayor.

Well, keep in mind, so Paris mentioned this for a reason.

The Bears have consistently said Hammond and Arlington Heights are the only two sites in play.

That's what the league reported from the meetings with the NFL.

Who they need help from.

The NFL is putting some of the bill on this.

And that multiple reports, pick your favorite Bears reporter, had said out of the NFL meetings that these were the only two sites.

They stressed that.