You're the pride and joy of Illinois! Chicago Bears, bear down!
- lifelessonsfrommem
- 4 hours ago
- 5 min read
I was raised in Michigan and my family was big football fans–specifically the Detroit Lions. Since the beginning of time, the Lions always played a game on Thanksgiving Day. Because my birthday was on or around Thanksgiving, my dad and I would go to the game and then come home to a Thanksgiving dinner my Memaw and mom would cook. It was always an awesome day!
Then, in my early 20’s, I moved to Chicago. I fell in love with Chicago during some trips when I was younger, so I made the conscious decision to move here. Because of this, I became a Chicago Bears fan. I still like my Lions and will cheer for them in games that will not affect the Bears because the Bears are my #1.
Even though I love Chicago, I was not born here. I am what they call a “transient”. That means I enjoy many things Chicago–deep dish, Second City, Chicago Theater, the lakefront, the skyline, the sports teams and where they play–Wrigley Field, United Center, Soldier Field. But I’m different from the ones born and raised here. I still like ketchup on my hotdog and I like BOTH the Cubs and the White Sox.
But now our beloved Chicago is in turmoil. The Chicago Bears have played at Soldier Field for many, many years but they do not own Soldier Field. They “rent” it from the Chicago Park District. Now, they want to build their own stadium so it is bigger and enclosed, with the hope of hosting a Super Bowl in the future. We Chicagoans are very happy about this. To not have to freeze during a game in Chicago weather? To have more opportunities to go to the games? To have a Super Bowl here? Where do we sign….
You would think this was a no brainer and construction has already started. Well, hold up. We have some issues. First, Soldier Field right now is too small but there is a huge lake on one side of it–Lake Michigan. It would be almost impossible to build a larger stadium because there is not enough real estate and they would have to build over existing parking lots. Ummm….where would we park and tailgate then?? Also, we don’t have the sharpest Chicago major in the shed, so he has royally screwed this up. Nope, the Bears will not be building their new stadium in the city of Chicago.
Ok, this is still doable. Many NFL teams are located in the suburbs of towns because of little real estate among other problems. So the Bears purchased some huge land in Arlington Heights, a northern suburb of Chicago. The land used to be Arlington Racetrack and the Bears purchased the whole thing to build the stadium there. Perfect, so construction has finally started? Not so fast. The Bears are one of the few NFL teams that is owned by a family, not investors. The McCaskey family want to save every penny they can, so they said they want lower property taxes–to the tune of $1.5 Billion less over 40 years. Because of this, the Illinois government has to approve of this because that savings will have to be made up by Illinois taxpayers. So, you can see the dilemna–who is going to pay those property taxes difference–a major corporation or every day tax payers. Hmmmm….
While this measure was being argued in our State Capitol, the city of Hammond, Indiana thought “Wait a minute! If Illinois is not saying yes yet, then let us make an attractive proposal to the Bears. You can build your new stadium here and we will give you the tax breaks. Hey, Indiana Government, all in favor, raise your hands. Perfect! Everyone agrees!” And that is why the Bears are considering moving to Hammond, Indiana.
I have a family member and a friend who are die-hard Bears fans. They were born and bred in Chicago and they have some opposing views, so I asked them some questions to hear from the fans. The family member is my brother-in-law (BIL) and my friend I have known for 25+ years. Here are our conversations…
How would you feel if the Bears were not in Chicago and moved either to Arlington Heights or Indiana?
Brother-in-law: I’m a proud Chicago, Chicagoland, and Illinois fan! I cheer for all players and teams from Illinois. Arlington (Heights) would or anywhere else in the state (of Illinois) would fall into my fandom! Moving out of state is moving out of state. They would be an Indiana’s team to me. Hammond, Indiana is not Chicago and not a suburb of Chicago!
Friend: I literally grew up attending Bear’s games. In 8th grade there were superlatives and I was voted “Biggest Bear’s Fan” and that was in 1987. It would be so hard for me to drop being a Bear’s fan just because they move. I don’t agree with the move though. They need to stay in Illinois! I will always remain a fan even if they move and I will go to the games, even in crumby Hammond, IN. I would prefer Arlington Heights over stupid Indiana.
I am hearing that both of you are ok if they stay in Chicago or move to Arlington Heights–as long as they stay in Illinois. If they do move to Indiana, what would change for you?
Friend: How can they be called the Chicago Bears when they are in Indiana?? Other teams move….and they change the name. They definitely need a new song. Plus maybe a new name…NW Indy Bears?? I don’t know.
BIL: I don’t care about any other NFL team or what city or state they play in. I watch the NFL only for my love of the Chicago Bears! (If they move to Indiana) it’s just wrong to me. (Other fans) see it like I do, the Bears would be an Indiana team. To be honest, I still cheer for them, it’s all I got and that’s sad to say! But if they do move, and Chicago gets another team, and I’m alive, I would cheer for them!!
Good point! What if the Bears move to Indiana and Chicago gets another team? Would you be a fan of the new team?
BIL: 100% YES! Bears would be in another state, so yes, I’m a Chicago Fan. If Chicago is ever offered a team to replace them, I’ll happily cheer for the new Chicago team.
Friend: I would embrace the new team for sure. But probably stay loyal to the Indy Bears.
There is one thing you both agree on–you want the Bears to stay in Illinois (no matter what town) and not move to Indiana. Anything else?
Friend: I hate the Packers! Also, Chicago is the 3rd largest city in the US and we can’t figure it out to keep/have a NFL team in our city? Shame on Chicago!
BIL: I live on the northern border so I have to deal with Packer fans daily and I have been hearing it from them for months about the Bears leaving the state. Minnesota has a team. Wisconsin has a team. Michigan has a team. Indiana would have two teams and Illinois would have no team.
The controversy continues and the Chicago Bears have not made a definite decision on where they will finally end up. Illinois is trying to do another last-ditch effort to keep the team and the team has not decided on any land in Hammond. It is politics as usual in Illinois. Stay tuned for another episode of As Chicago Bears Turns.
Bear down, Chicago Bears! Make every play clear the way to victory.
Bear down, Chicago Bears! Put up a fight with a might so fearlessly.
We'll never forget the way you thrilled the nation with your T-formation.
Bear down, Chicago Bears, and let them know why you're wearing the crown.
You're the pride and joy of Illinois! Chicago Bears, bear down!
Blog Website: https://www.lifelessonsfrommemaw.com/