Pritzker announces bond expansion, says progress has been made with Bears

(The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker says progress has been made in conversations with the Chicago Bears.

Pritzker announced the expansion of sales tax and revenue bonds for capital projects at a press conference in Belleville on Monday.

The governor said STAR bonds were not written for the Bears.

“This can be used by local governments. We’re not specifically looking at it that way, perhaps the Bears are,” Pritzker said.

Pritzker said he would let the Bears talk about what they want to get done.

“There’s a lot of discussion, a lot of ongoing conversation with the Bears and indeed, frankly, progress that’s been made, so I’m pleased about that,” Pritzker said.

The governor added that he did not think the Bears were bluffing when they said they had expanded their stadium site search to include Northwest Indiana.

When asked if he was looking to attract the St. Louis Cardinals to Illinois, Pritzker said the state is trying to attract busi...