(The Center Square) – Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson was left out of NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell’s recent meeting with Gov. J.B. Pritzker and state lawmakers, but the mayor said his administration will remain involved with discussions over a potential stadium project for the Bears.
A reporter asked the mayor on Friday if he had been briefed on the meeting held in Illinois on Thursday.
“The meeting happened yesterday, right? We’re always going to remain in conversation with all of the stakeholders,” Johnson said.
A statement from the governor’s office said Pritzker, Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, D-Hillside, state Rep. Kam Buckner, D-Chicago, and state Senator Bill Cunningham, D-Chicago met with Goodell and Bears minority owner Pat Ryan on Thursday.
The statement said conversations with the Bears continued throughout the summer about the team’s plans in Illinois.
Welch released a statement on Friday saying he met twice with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell in recent weeks.
“Our focus remains on responsible steps that protect taxpayers while keeping the Bears in Illinois,” the speaker’s statement said.
Johnson was asked if he had a message for state lawmakers from Chicago.
“My message is still the same, that the Bears belong in the city of Chicago, and I’m grateful that conversations have continued,” Johnson said.
Buckner and Cunningham filed separate pieces of stadium legislation in the spring. The House passed Buckner’s megaprojects bill, the Senate approved Cunningham’s bill, but the two measures failed to clear both chambers.
A modified bill could be considered during fall veto session next month.
In August, Bears officials said they were moving forward with stadium plans in Hammond, Indiana, but the team never announced the selection of a site to develop.
Johnson said he has said all along that the Bears belong in Chicago.
“There is one site that matters, the site that is going to continue to grow our economy,” Johnson said.
