Brian Urlacher Blasts Illinois Democrats for Letting the Bears Leave Chicago
Chicago Bears legend Brian Urlacher is not holding back. In a wide‑ranging interview, the Hall of Famer sharply criticized Illinois’ Democratic leadership for allowing the franchise to move toward a relocation outside the state — a move he says should never have been allowed to get this far.
Urlacher’s frustration centers on one core belief: The Chicago Bears should never be playing anywhere but Illinois.
As he put it in a recent interview: “I don’t like them leaving Soldier Field… I can’t picture them playing anywhere.”
Urlacher Says State Leaders Failed to Keep the Bears Home
Urlacher placed the blame squarely on Democratic lawmakers, arguing they failed to provide the tax structure and infrastructure support needed to keep the Bears from exploring a move to Hammond, Indiana.
He questioned how state and city leadership allowed the situation to deteriorate to this point, saying: “I just don’t see how as a state, legislator, governor, city mayor, how you can let this team leave the state of Illinois… You do what you have to do to keep the Bears there.”
Illinois lawmakers did not pass the property‑tax certainty and public‑funding measures the Bears said were necessary for a new stadium project. Urlacher believes that failure opened the door for Indiana to swoop in with a more appealing offer.
Urlacher Points to Spending Priorities as a Major Factor
One of Urlacher’s strongest criticisms involved the state’s spending choices. He argued that Illinois’ financial support for migrants and undocumented immigrants, estimated between $2.5 and $3.2 billion from 2022 to 2025, could have instead been used to help keep the Bears in Illinois.
He said: “You look at all the money they’ve given to illegal immigrants… That money could be for the Bears… trying to keep their stadium in town.”
Urlacher framed it as a matter of priorities, saying state leaders chose not to invest in keeping one of Illinois’ most iconic institutions.
Urlacher Singles Out Gov. JB Pritzker
Urlacher was especially blunt when asked whether Gov. JB Pritzker had done enough to keep the Bears in Illinois.
His response: “Obviously not. They’re leaving.”
He argued that the state should have found a way to keep the Bears at Arlington Heights, where the team already owns land, instead of letting the project stall and forcing the franchise to look elsewhere.
Why Urlacher Thinks Indiana Makes Business Sense
Despite his frustration with Illinois leadership, Urlacher acknowledged that the Bears’ potential move to Hammond is financially logical.
He noted that Indiana is offering a more favorable tax and stadium‑control situation, saying: “Business‑wise, it makes sense… they’re going to make more money… financially it would be more beneficial for them to go to Hammond.”
He also emphasized that Bears fans will follow the team anywhere: Soldier Field, Arlington Heights, or Indiana.
Urlacher’s Comments Reflect a Larger Fan Anxiety
Urlacher’s criticism taps into a broader concern among Bears fans: How did the state let this happen?
The Bears are one of the NFL’s founding franchises, and their identity is deeply tied to Chicago. Urlacher’s comments echo the sentiment of many fans who feel the team’s departure — even if only across the state line — represents a failure of leadership and a loss of tradition.
