Senator Willie Preston on Chicago Bears’ Plan to Leave City: “The Bears Belong in Chicago” (Chicago, IL) – State Sen. Willie Preston (D-Chicago) voiced strong opposition this week to the Chicago Bears’ decision to leave the city, calling the move a betrayal of fans and the community that built the team’s legacy.
“As a lifelong Chicagoan, I cannot express how profoundly disappointed I am that the Bears truly intend to leave Chicago,” Preston said in a statement. “Bottom line, the Chicago Bears belong in Chicago.”
Preston, who represents parts of the South Side, said he met with Bears leadership in recent weeks to urge them to reconsider their plans. Despite those conversations, the team has continued to explore options outside of the city, most notably in Arlington Heights, where it purchased the former Arlington International Racecourse property in 2023.
The senator argued that Chicago’s position as the state’s economic and cultural hub has been central to the Bears’ rise as one of the NFL’s most recognized franchises.
“Chicago is the economic powerhouse of not just Illinois, but the entire Midwest, and it is this city that made the Bears one of the most iconic sports franchises in the world,” Preston said.
Preston also rejected the idea of using public funds or tax incentives to support the Bears’ relocation, a sticking point in negotiations between the franchise and local officials.
“As a State Lawmaker … I cannot and will not support any measure that gives the Bears a taxpayer-funded escape hatch,” he said. “Whether it’s massive development tax breaks or any other financial tool, I will oppose efforts to let the Bears walk away from their obligations to the people of Illinois while abandoning the city that built their legacy.”
He punctuated his criticism with a football reference: “What a way to fumble the kickoff of the season.”
The Bears, who have played at Soldier Field since 1971, have not made a final announcement about when or where they will move. Still, the franchise’s future in Chicago appears increasingly uncertain — and city leaders like Preston are making it clear they don’t intend to let the team leave without a fight.
Senator Willie Preston on Chicago Bears’ Plan to Leave City: “The Bears Belong in Chicago”
