HR0404 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0404 LRB102 18989 LAW 27717 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, More than 40 professional sports franchises have relocated since 1960; some moves of this sort are widely anticipated and leave no major scars; other relocations, however, are still bemoaned decades later as civic and economic wounds of historic proportions; and

WHEREAS, While there are many financial reasons why the Chicago Bears are unlikely to leave Soldier Field for Arlington Heights any time soon, the fact that the team has expressed exploring buying property in the suburbs is disconcerting as many fans consider the Chicago Bears to be part of Chicago's identity and a source of unity born of civic pride; and

WHEREAS, Even as many of us make regular pilgrimages to Soldier Field, fans also readily acknowledge that the stadium isn't the most comfortable or modern of NFL venues; in fact, in a recent informal survey held on patch.com, over 70 percent of 6,000 readers responded that they would like to see the team move; despite the survey's informality, results like this merit our attention; and

WHEREAS, The economics of major professional sports leagues have been changing dramatically in recent years; from television and streaming rights to team-sanctioned legalized sports betting to worldwide merchandising deals and massive media empires, teams have become huge corporate conglomerates with wide-ranging interests far beyond the stadium; and

WHEREAS, The Chicago Bears are an important source of economic activity and civic pride for the City of Chicago; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we urge the city of Chicago and the State of Illinois to work with the owners of the Chicago Bears in order to reach an agreement that both parties see as equitable and beneficial to keep the team in Chicago; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be delivered to Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot.