06/05/2026
Today, it looks like Illinois is losing the Chicago Bears.
A team that started its storied history in Decatur. George Halas walked the sidelines of Wrigley Field. Then Soldier Field became home for decades. A hundred years of Illinois history… and Springfield Democrats just watched it walk across the border to Hammond, Indiana.
And this isn’t the first time we lost or nearly lost a beloved team. In the early 90s, the White Sox were packing bags for Florida. Merchandise was being printed for the Saint Petersburg White Sox. It was a done deal. Springfield waited until the absolute last minute and gave them what they needed to stay. It worked with an 11th hour deal.
Now 35 years later, Democrats had the same playbook sitting right in front of them. They didn’t use it. They didn’t even punt, they just dropped the ball and Indiana recovered Springfield’s fumble. But this won’t just cost us points, this will cost us billions.
And now Chicago joins the short and infamous list of American cities that have lost two NFL franchises. The Chicago Cardinals left in 1960. And now the Bears look to be gone. Chicago becomes what no city wants to be… the next Los Angeles.
But at least Los Angeles eventually got their teams back. The Rams returned. Then they stole the Chargers. Two franchises, one city… after years of losing, they came out ahead.
When things leave Illinois, they don’t come back.
DuPage County Republicans Kane County GOP
