What Kevin Warren in stadium negotiations is doing is smart. By having Indiana get involved, it creates real leverage for the Bears and it’s forcing Illinois to respond quickly. The stadium debate in a nutshell: Illinois - • Initially refused to modernize infrastructure in Arlington Heights (roads, utilities, etc.) • Wants the Bears to pay property taxes up to 25x higher than any other privately owned stadium in the country • Expects the Bears to help pay off $500M in Soldier Field renovations from 2003 — a stadium they don’t own • Requires the Bears to privately fund a $2B stadium on 326 acres in Arlington Heights Indiana - • State buys the land and builds the stadium the Bears want • Bears pay down the debt and gain full ownership once it’s paid off • Zero taxes while servicing the debt • Proposed “Site C” is 760 acres on Lake Michigan, near Chicago, with expressway and rail access Indiana is a legit option. Illinois is now playing catch-up.