Rod Blagojevich says Gov. JB Pritzker ‘outplayed’ as Bears eye Indiana transfer

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Former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich argued Gov. JB Pritzker bought "outplayed and outflanked" because the Chicago Bears look to go away the state for Indiana.

On Thursday, an Indiana Home panel approved legislation to assist finance a possible new NFL stadium for the staff. The ability might be constructed close to Wolf Lake in Hammond, Indiana, simply throughout the state border.

"The Indiana legislature did what it did, and it caught our governor asleep," Blagojevich mentioned Saturday on "Fox & Friends Weekend."

A normal view inside Soldier Discipline through the nationwide anthem previous to the sport between the Seattle Seahawks and the Chicago Bears in Chicago, Illinois, on Dec. 26, 2024. (Michael Reaves/Getty Photographs)

" Governor Pritzker actually is responsible of gubernatorial malpractice, and this is not the primary time a significant enterprise is about to go away Illinois," he added.

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Blagojevich blamed the blue state's high taxes as a cause the staff could also be contemplating the transfer, noting different main firms like Boeing and Tyson Meals which have already left.

"He [Pritzker] spent $3 billion on unlawful immigrants, migrants, and apparently would not have the cash or has paid the eye to attempt to maintain the Bears in Illinois," he mentioned.

Fox News Digital reached out to representatives of Pritzker however didn't instantly hear again.

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"He is been outplayed and outflanked by this Indiana governor as a result of his priorities are all about defending sanctuary for unlawful immigrants," Blagojevich mentioned.

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The Bears launched an announcement on the event plans, calling them the "most significant step ahead" of their quest for a brand new stadium.

Chicago leaders, nevertheless, aren't giving up hope. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson mentioned throughout a information convention that the Bears "belong" in Chicago , including that the door is open for conversations with the staff about remaining in its namesake metropolis.

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"[Pritzker] turned his again on a working-class fan base of the Chicago Bears," Blagojevich mentioned.

"This is able to be a shame if Pritzker permits the Bears to go away and permits the governor of Indiana to intercept our Bears."

Chicago Bears helmets earlier than the beginning of the sport in opposition to Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on Sept. 28, 2025 in Paradise, Nevada. (Kiyoshi Mio/Imagn Photographs)

Pritzker advised reporters he was "very disappointed" and caught off guard by the Bears' newest announcement, saying his employees spoke to the franchise for greater than three hours on Wednesday.

Whereas Illinois leaders expressed shock on the information, Indiana Gov. Mike Braun revealed the Bears approached his state 5 months in the past after being "rebuffed" by its personal authorities.

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"That is dereliction as a result of they have been attempting to work with the state, with town, for 3 years," Braun mentioned Saturday on "Fox Information Reside."

The Indiana governor confirmed he has no intention of adjusting the staff’s title, noting that "Chicago Bears" stays an "iconic identify" whatever the zip code. He mentioned he is trying to give the franchise a "higher dwelling" in a state the place the "greenback goes so much farther."