DANVILLE, IL… State Representative Brandun Schweizer (R-Danville) issued the following statement following the Chicago Bears’ departure announcement. The franchise announced they are planning to leave for Hammond, Indiana amid unsuccessful negotiations with the City of Chicago and the State of Illinois:
“The Chicago Bears choosing to pursue a stadium project in Indiana is more than a sports story, it’s another example of Illinois losing out under the policies coming from Springfield. The same state government that has delivered record budgets, higher taxes and fees, and an increasingly unaffordable cost of living is now watching one of Illinois’ most recognizable organizations look elsewhere for its future.
“Illinois families have been voting with their feet for years. Businesses have been moving investments elsewhere. In my district alone, we recently watched Hyster-Yale move jobs and investment across the border to Indiana. Now, one of the most iconic franchises in professional sports appears poised to follow the same path.
“At some point, the leaders in charge need to stop blaming everyone else and start asking why so many people and organizations believe the opportunities are better across our borders. Illinois can compete and win, but not if we continue down this same path.”