Best of the Bears: We’re still on stadium watch
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What progress has been made in the Bears' stadium saga?
As you all are aware, we've been working on our stadium and feel very strongly that we're making progress. We're in an excellent position. And I recently said that, you know, the target is to make sure that we have a decision made by springtime here soon and late spring, early summer would be that from a target.
Molly and Hall, we have Lou Kanellis with us here. 104.3 the score. And that, of course, is the voice of... Of Kevin Warren, and when we talked about the idea that Rahm Emanuel did not want any of the World Cup here in this city, you mentioned that the reason he gave was because FIFA wanted him to perhaps... Potentially. Potentially put a dome on Soldier Field, and he... He just rejected it and was pleased with not taking part in it. I know a lot of people supported that at the time, but now that the World Cup is here and now that you're going out to recess and you're seeing the number of people that are going, it's kind of like we missed out on something that easily could have been held in Chicago and easily could have been held downtown in Chicago.
But unfortunately, he deemed that that shouldn't be the case. But you mentioned what's going on with the Bears. We have not talked. I mean, if we were having coffee at Starbucks and chewing over the fat, what would you tell me about your feelings about the Bears moving to Indiana?
Well, I would tell you, number one, if you were a betting man, I would bet on Hammond.
What are the implications of the Bears potentially moving to Indiana?
because I know that they're testing the soil right now in the Wolf Lake region. They're testing the soil at a couple of different spots, and I know for a fact that the Bears are serious about this potential move to Indiana. I know the folks in Hammond are serious about it happening in their backyard as well. I also know that there has been some pushback now lately from— The voters in the Porter County, Indiana area that are worried about a food and beverage tax that may fall on their lap to build this new stadium. But as I've said in the past, the Bears have not been given an offer by the state of Illinois yet. OK, because. Our own legislators in Springfield, and I love Cam Buckner, and Cam has been on this show a number of times with you and David, and I have great respect for Cam.
But they haven't offered the Bears anything yet here in the state of Illinois. And it's real simple. And I've tried to explain this literally over 100 times to friends, to fans that have stopped me on the street, to people that come to my restaurants. The Bears need tax certainty to go to Arlington Heights. The Bears, the McCaskies are cash poor. They cannot build the stadium with their own money, which voters like myself have insisted on, unless they are able to take this entity called the Bears, the franchise, which is insane. valued right now at about $8 billion, and they can take 10% of the value of the organization and sell that to private equity.
How is tax certainty affecting the Bears' stadium plans?
Private equity will not give them the money the $800 million that they need to build a new stadium unless they have tax certainty from the state of Illinois, which they have not been able to get in Arlington Heights. So if the legislators... that represent the state of Illinois, whether it's in the Springfield downstate area, or it's the legislators in the northwestern suburbs, or it's the legislators that represent the city of Chicago, especially in the southeast part of the city, Molly, who feel like, you know what? You're leaving Soldier Field, so we're losing tax revenue for those that come to the city for Bears games, We are better off if you go to Hammond, Indiana, then go to Arlington Heights.
So we will vote no until we get something out of it. So to answer your question, if you're asking me today on what, July 2nd, what I think the Bears are going to do, I would still bet Hammond, Indiana, because they haven't been given an offer from the state of Illinois yet. They have nothing to work with from the state of Illinois.
You don't buy any of this stuff that they're talking to the state. They're still talking to various politicians.
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Chapters
8 chapters
1
What progress has been made in the Bears' stadium saga?
0:00–1:58
2
What are the implications of the Bears potentially moving to Indiana?
1:58–3:48
3
How is tax certainty affecting the Bears' stadium plans?
3:48–5:23
4
What challenges are the Bears facing with local voters?
5:23–7:05
5
What expectations are set for quarterback Caleb Williams this season?
7:05–8:38
6
How has Caleb Williams' performance evolved over the past seasons?
8:38–9:46
7
What criticisms are being leveled at Caleb Williams by analysts?
9:46–10:56
8
How do fans perceive Caleb Williams' potential as a franchise quarterback?
10:56–32:56
Speakers
5 identifiedMore from Rahimi & Grote Show
Full Show — September 15, 2026
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Patrick Mannelly breaks down Bears' win, glaring linebacker issues (Hour 2)
5 On It & Tim Jenkins breaks down Caleb Williams' terrific performance (Hour 3)
Neville Gallimore talks Bears fans, Dennis Allen's high standard (Hour 4)
Transition with Spiegel & Holmes