Pritzker Torches Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson For ‘No Plan’ To Keep Bears In The City [WATCH]

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker criticized Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson on Monday, saying the mayor has “no plan” to keep the Chicago Bears in the city as the team continues weighing stadium options outside Chicago, as reported by Fox News.

Pritzker made the comments during a press conference after being asked about negotiations involving the Bears’ future home and whether the team could relocate outside the city.

“That’s a conversation between those municipalities and the Bears,” Pritzker said.

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“As to the prospects for a passage of a bill or what might happen with the Bears, I would say I know the mayor has no plan. He has come up with no plan at all about how the Bears would end up in the city of Chicago. So that’s problematic. I’d love them to be in the city, but we are three years in now, and he still has no plan.”

The governor’s remarks came as the Bears continue to examine possible stadium sites. Pritzker said a Bears spokesperson recently stated that the only two viable locations for the team were Arlington Heights, Illinois, and Hammond, Indiana.

Despite criticizing Johnson’s handling of the issue, Pritzker said he supports keeping the Bears in Chicago if a workable agreement can be reached.

He also said his main concern is protecting Illinois taxpayers while treating the team fairly as a business looking to expand in the state.

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“I’m fighting hard to make sure that they can do that. And also very importantly, because my North star is protecting the taxpayers of Illinois that we have something that works for the state of Illinois that’s fair as we are being fair with other businesses that want to come to Illinois or expand here, that we’re being fair in the allocation of support for a business expanding in the state while also protecting taxpayers across the state,” Pritzker said.

The Chicago Mayor’s Office responded in a statement to Fox News Digital, saying Johnson remains focused on a publicly owned stadium that would keep the Bears in Chicago.

“For the past two years, the City has continued to advocate for a publicly owned stadium and has not supported the advancement of a privately owned stadium. The City’s proposal remains the only plan centered on public ownership alongside a funding mechanism that does not burden property taxpayers while keeping the Bears in Chicago,” the statement read.

The mayor’s office said it plans to keep working with state lawmakers, the governor’s office, and other stakeholders.

“We look forward to continuing to work with the legislature, the State, and all stakeholders to advance a solution that centers the needs of working Illinoisans while preserving the Bears’ future in Chicago,” the statement continued.

Pritzker dismissed Johnson’s proposal and the mayor’s interest in having the city control the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority to help carry it out. The governor described Johnson’s approach as familiar.

“This is kind of typical. The mayor has shown up every spring at the end of session to pronounce what he would like to see happen,” Pritzker said.

The dispute adds another layer to the long-running stadium debate surrounding the Bears.

Arlington Heights and Hammond remain the two locations identified by the team’s spokesperson as viable options, while Johnson’s administration continues pushing for a publicly owned stadium plan in Chicago.

The Bears’ potential move has become a major political and taxpayer issue in Illinois, with state and city leaders arguing over funding, public ownership, and whether Chicago can still keep the franchise within city limits.

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