Pritzker Bets Big on a Lawyer as Bears Stadium Saga Heats Up

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker’s hardline stance on a taxpayer-funded Bears stadium has escalated into a high-stakes legal maneuver: his administration hired New York firm Weil, Gotshal & Manges’ Steve Argeris for $1,455/hour to advise on potential stadium projects, while the Bears broaden their site search to northwest Indiana and press Springfield for a deal this year. The move is framed as a desperation tactic to keep the team in Illinois amid political risk ahead of a pivotal election year, as lawmakers weigh incentives to prevent a relocation to Indiana or another site.