Rahimi, Harris & Grote Show
Bears announce advancement of stadium development project in Hammond (Hour 2)
05 Jun 2026
Transcript generated automatically by AI and may contain errors.
Chapter 1: What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
This hour is brought to you by Vasectomy Clinics of Chicago. We have breaking news. Breaking news on the score is sponsored by IDOT. Speeding in a work zone is a no-win. My the signs, avoid the fines. This is Rahimi Harrison-Grody on 104.3 The Score.
Chapter 2: What breaking news was announced about the Bears' stadium development?
And our colleague David Haw has just posted this. 10.57 a.m. on X. The Bears are expected to announce today... Their board of directors has voted and they will be focused on Hammond moving forward as the future side of their stadium, two legislative sources said. And he tagged the score Chicago and Mullion-Haw.
So once again, per David Haw, the Bears are expected to announce today that their board of directors says that they will be focused on Hammond. Now, they still own Arlington Heights. They're still playing at Soldier Field. But this is all in the wake of the news over the weekend that the pilot legislation did not pass out of the Illinois State Senate.
We are not expecting a special session to be called. And this report saying that the Bears will be focused on Hammond. Operative word being focused. Mark, something's going wrong.
Yeah, no, I've got I've got a source here. I've got a text that I want to read. And this is from I don't know if I have the liberty to give out the senator's name. So I'm not going to to do that. And I may, but I'm just being overly cautious here. But this is this is what is being said. This is this is my source here. It's Kevin Warren.
And this this adds up with what is being reported right there. Kevin Warren called to let me know they're going to Indiana, not specifically Hammond, it says in parentheses. Warren, of course, is the president slash CEO of the Chicago Bears. Another source said Warren told him, quote, We're moving forward with the Indiana plan, close quote.
When asked what that meant, Warren said, quote, we're going to focus, focus on Hammond. That does not mean that they are going to Hammond. That does not mean that they will break ground on a stadium anytime soon.
It means that they are moving forward with their leverage and probably daring the state of Illinois to reconsider the Bears' possibilities and making it easier for them to move to Arlington High.
I would like to point out right now, also, there was a time when George McCaskey said, Arlington Heights is our sole focus. Those were the exact words he used. So that is something that the team has used before, and no stadium has been built there either.
Feels like another step towards the edge, if you will, in a game of chicken or, you know... The bluff being called on the Bears, and now the Bears are calling Illinois' bluff because they're moving ahead. So nothing is in stone, obviously, but they're just saying, we're moving our focus.
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Chapter 3: What does the Bears' focus on Hammond mean for their future?
This is the right thing for the Bears to do. Finally, the right thing for the Bears to do because I've been daring them all along. I am on record. When they made the move for Indiana, had the agreement in place, and warned everybody before Christmas that they have this leverage of Indiana, my complaint has been, then use the leverage.
Stop acting like you're not that interested in Indiana, even though you have the agreement in place. And finally, after everything, after allowing Illinois to control everything that has gone on, the Illinois legislature, the Bears are finally, earnestly using their leverage. And this is what they should have been doing all along.
Are they? Because we're already getting people texting and calling us, 312-644-6767, calling their bluff yet again. The attitude has become, well, call us when there's an actual stadium built, or the operative phrase, when there are shovels in the ground.
Absolutely, but isn't this the right thing? Okay, we tempt you, Illinois, to let us do this because we are moving forward on this. Can you come up with it? And if you don't, the Bears will be playing in Indiana.
I think the important thing here, though, is based on what your sourcing says, based on what David Haw has tweeted out about the board of directors having voted on this, that tells me that they are preparing, hey, if they don't come up, we've got to go to Indiana. Yes. That is the move.
The board of directors is their family and Pat Ryan.
Right. They took a giant step towards Indiana today. That's what the Bears did. And good for them. Good for them.
Until the plan may change. And that's the part of this is we're already seeing, I think, appropriate skepticism when it comes to what they've communicated their plans are, how for real are they this time, how sincere are they. Yeah, how genuine is this? Who knows? It was Dan Weterer on with Mullion Hall this morning who said the Bears come off as disingenuous in all of this.
But don't forget, this is a piece of news as well. This is from Hannah Adamson, the Fox 59 CBS 4 Indianapolis reporter a couple days ago. She had asked Governor Mike Braun from Indiana about the Illinois House adjourning without taking a vote on the Bears bill, the pilot bill. And here was the discussion.
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Chapter 4: How do the Bears' decisions impact the state of Illinois?
I would support that word in what the Bears have done. Maybe they have fouled it up. This is a good move, though. This is, and I know people don't want to hear that because the Bears have bungled so much. This is a great move. This is the way the game is supposed to be played. That you use the leverage, which they simply were not doing before. They were letting everybody else control it.
They were being passive-aggressive about the meetings, being passive-aggressive about making any comments. This was a good move by the Bears.
I don't even know if we can say that when they took action and then they backed off of the action they took. They bought land and then they had to go in reverse. And that's what happened. And in Indiana, the process was in order. But they are very much responsible here. And Danny put it well yesterday, too.
And he said, I feel like this topic has just become arguing over how much of a discount the Bears are going to get for either a stadium or their property tax.
Yeah, I think that sums it up right there. That is what this is about.
Yeah. Do you have a problem with the move to what they did today by saying that they're going to focus on Indiana?
My biggest concern was whether or not I, as a resident of Chicago and Cook County, would be paying extra in tax dollars for a stadium.
And right now, it's moving towards nobody having to worry about that in the state of Illinois.
Right. This is their financial best deal.
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Chapter 5: What are the implications of the Bears moving to Indiana?
What I have said about the Indiana effect, if the Bears do move there. The people that it's going to affect are the people in the far west suburbs, if you will, like Elgin, South Elgin, St. Charles, that whole area, the North Shore as well. They're going to be fans, like casual fans.
They're going to be like in the heat of the moment, or if somebody offers them a ticket, they're going to be like, I don't think I have it in me to make the drive to Indiana. So you're going to hurt some casual fans, but I don't see Bears fans permanently. And I could be wrong, but...
permanently turning their back on the franchise if the bears are to move to indiana so to reiterate the news david haw broke this 16 minutes ago the bears are expected to announce today that their board of directors has voted they will be focused on hammond indiana moving forward be focused on as the future site of their stadium that according to legislative sources per david haw and the
Even in the replies we've gotten on social, you know, people are split. Oh, is it until they pivot to Chicago? Is it until they pivot to Arlington Heights? I'll tell you what I think makes this sincere in my eyes when I'll believe this in earnest. Number one, when we have a defined.
established study set for any proposed site in Indiana when we know exactly what the parameters are, what the footprint is, what a blueprint looks like. And then in addition, when a plan is announced for the land they have at Arlington Heights, if it goes up for sale, usually the Tribune is the one who will snake that out. You know, if you're famous, they know when your house is up for sale.
So kind of the same idea. And then, then I will be under the estimation at that point and the full assumption that that is where they will be going.
I look at the ongoing news about where will they play next and realize that this is not only just a small step, but hopefully it's a step closer to the end of this entire story. That's the whole thing. I don't know when shovels will be in the ground. I said August 6th. I'm not loving my prediction right in this moment because it seems like a little bit more back and forth still to go.
But I do like the fact that we are a step closer to a stadium and a decision and us not having to worry.
And we don't have to talk about it. Maybe we still will. I don't know. But we don't have to talk about it.
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Chapter 6: How have fans reacted to the Bears' potential move?
And this is per indianacitizen.org. The tax increases in Lake and Porter counties are standard for new stadiums. For example, when operations on Lucas Oil Stadium started in 2005, the admissions tax increased 10%, including at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, which was Banker's Life at the time, Victory Field, and the Indiana Convention Center.
A 1% food and beverage tax was implemented in Marion County, as well as the Donut Counties. That means surrounding, not because it's National Donut Day. There was also a 5% increase on an innkeeper's tax in Marion County. These tax increases help pay off the stadium. So people pay. It's just a matter of whether or not the Bears do.
I don't want to pay.
We're going to take your calls next because it is quite apparent that nobody has a say in this except for perhaps when people call our station. 312-644-6767 is our number. Again, we are reiterating the breaking news that we heard at the top of the hour.
The Bears are expected to announce today their board of directors has voted, and they will be focused on Hammond moving forward as the future site of their stadium. That, according to our guy, David Haw. You've got Rahimi Harrison-Grody on the score.
Amy Harrison Grody.
We are happy to have on Vinny Rotino. Vinny, how are you?
I'm doing great. Thanks for having me on, guys. I tell you, I feel like I made it to the big leagues when I get on the score and get on your show. I appreciate you guys having me.
Middays 10 to 2 on 104.3 The Score.
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Chapter 7: What are the financial considerations for the Bears in this move?
Right, Layla? Would you characterize it that way?
Until they sell Arlington Heights, yes. That's my cue, guys.
With the exact site to be selected is the part of the statement that gave me a bit of pause just to make sure I'm understanding exactly what they're saying here with the advancement of the Indiana plan, right? When you hear the exact site to be selected, does that mean they still don't have it narrowed down or they do have it narrowed down? The way it's worded is kind of odd.
Just a little ambiguous. Right. Just a little bit.
Okay, so here's the question then. Is it ambiguous on purpose or is it ambiguous out of a lack of oversight? I would bet that it's ambiguous on purpose.
You're probably right. I agree with you, Layla. Yes, it leaves the door open.
tiny little bit until if you want to get back together with me you still can i'm dating somebody else but i'll take you back is this like the ex who doesn't believe it's over until like the guy's walking down the uh aisle yeah it might it might be and to be honest based on everything you've heard since kevin warren was hired i mean they've shifted what three times now arlington heights chicago arlington heights indiana arlington indiana
312. This is a hell of a Friday news dump. Who you calling a news dump? 312-644-6767 is our number. I hope you guys know that I'm joking. Let's go to one of the aforementioned suburbs that we mentioned, huh? Crystal Lake. Mark is in Crystal Lake. You're on Rahimi Harrison-Grody.
What's up? Hi, guys. How's everyone doing? Oh, you know, just hanging out. Great. Well, let me give you a little bit of perspective here. So I live in Crystal Lake. Out of the three options, I'd love the city. Everyone wants to go to the city. The second option, Arlington Park. Obviously, it's closer to me, but the Indiana thing is just, I predict, to be a disaster. I own a bar in Chicago.
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Chapter 8: What environmental concerns are associated with the proposed site?
Hi, Michael.
Yeah, how you doing there? Hey, Mike. Very, I'm very upset. I think it's a huge mistake based on the fact that 60% of the season ticket holders are from the north and northwest suburbs. And so I don't, I'm a Bear fan. I go to four games every year. You know, it's a little tough getting out of Soldier Field. I'd love to see him stay in the city. I don't think that can work.
Arlington Park seemed like a great location. So it's just looking at it from my point of view between Warren, the governor, and the mayor, they've messed this thing up, all three of them. I also question McCaskey's ability to own an NFL team today based on other owners that own them.
Hmm.
I mean, this is a billionaire's game. Most people buying these teams like the Broncos were just purchased for almost a billion dollars more than the appraised value on them. These people have money. Taxes are not going to get in the way of most people that own NFL teams today. That's not going to happen.
We let this happen here because I think the McCaskies are kind of, I feel like they can't afford this team any longer.
I think you're in the right city, maybe the wrong zip code. I think the only thing they couldn't afford was the property tax bill in Arlington Heights.
Or so they claim not to be able to forward that. I will say this, too. And I made the point that there's going to be people who are offered a Bears ticket the last second if they live in Crystal Lake or South Elgin or St. Charles or name your city in the far west suburbs or the North Shore area. whatever the case may be, they're going to turn it down.
Some people, though, I think the majority of Bears fans will adjust, and they'll look at it as it's just going to have to be a journey, and it is going to be a bitch to get there. But especially if you're in your 20s or 30s... It's an all-day event. Just suck it up and go. Exactly. So... I understand.
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