Chicago City Wire

In a bid to keep the Chicago Bears football team in the city, Mayor Brandon Johnson recently met with Bears executives, the Chicago Tribune reported. 

The Tribune story said Johnson emphasized the rich local history of the Bears and expressed his desire to keep the Bears in the city.

"I grew up with the ‘Super Bowl Shuffle.’ As I would say, as older people would say to young people when I was young, ’85 Bears, Super Bowl shuffle, y’all don’t know nothing about that,” said Johnson, who was raised in suburban Elgin. “We want to make sure we can keep shuffling here in the city of Chicago with the Bears.”

The meeting came in the wake of reports that team officials had explored the possibility of relocating the Bears to Naperville, a suburb of Chicago. This development arose after plans to construct a new stadium in nearby Arlington Heights hit a potential snag over the tax structure of the deal, another Tribune story said. The team's dissatisfaction with Soldier Field, one of the league's smallest and least modern stadiums, has been widely acknowledged, with former Mayor Lori Lightfoot even proposing the installation of a dome as part of a comprehensive upgrade plan.

Johnson, who took office in early May, inherits a city grappling with the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, a deepening budget crisis, and an ongoing pension debt predicament, the Tribune said. In his inaugural address, he pledged to foster unity among the city's diverse communities and confront the escalating crime and violence plaguing Chicago. Downtown areas, in particular, have witnessed chaotic scenes as large crowds gather, posing challenges for law enforcement and local businesses.

Recognizing the broader context of the city's challenges, Mayor Johnson seeks to retain the Bears as a source of civic pride and economic stimulation. The team's presence not only generates revenue for the city but also bolsters community spirit, serving as a unifying force among Chicagoans.

As negotiations and discussions continue, the city of Chicago hopes to find common ground with the Chicago Bears front office. Mayor Brandon Johnson's efforts reflect a commitment to preserving the city's cherished sports heritage and addressing the pressing issues facing Chicago. With a shared vision for the future, it remains to be seen whether the Bears will continue to call Chicago home or embark on a new chapter in their storied history.