I don’t know about you but I was surprised to read a long op-ed piece in a recent edition of the Chicago Tribune declaring Aurora to be the “ideal choice” for the Have-Stadium-Will-Move Chicago Bears.
Granted, I would have been more taken aback had the article been submitted by Bears President and CEO Kevin Warren or Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson.
J.B Pritzker’s name at the bottom of the article would also have caused quite a stir, considering the political history of the governor and the Aurora mayor who tried unsuccessfully to upend him a couple years ago.
Still, the letter, signed by Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin; state Sen. Linda Holmes, D-Aurora; state Rep Barbara Hernandez, D-Aurora; and Naperville Township Assessor Matt Rasche was impressive in that it showed lots of civic pride and even more moxie, two admirable characteristics if you are an underdog trying to get into the game.
Aurora became one of a handful of municipalities that threw its hat in the NFL ring after it became obvious the Bears plans to relocate from Soldier Field to the former Arlington Park site hit a huge snag over what the team would pay in property taxes.
Other municipalities quickly wanted a tryout, including next-door neighbor Naperville.
But I have to say, Aurora seems to be the most tenacious, even touting that same letter in a press release blasted out on Tuesday that included a photo of Irvin and Warren exchanging friendly greetings at a Lincoln Forum/Union League Club of Chicago luncheon, where the Bears CEO was guest speaker.
According to the press release, “during the moderated conversation, Warren was asked about the proposed new stadium in downtown Chicago, and whether other cities, including Arlington Heights and Aurora, were in consideration.”
“I am happy to see Mayor Irvin here today. He’s an astute businessman,” Warren responded. ”Aurora is a special place.”
Which seemed polite and noncommittal to me – no surprise since Warren has made it clear his first choice by a country mile is to stay in the city.
Aurora’s op-ed was chock full of legit reasons Aurora would be the perfect place for the Bears new home, including the fact no precious lakefront property in Chicago would be at stake. And unlike Arlington Heights, where the school district threw down a bunch of yellow flags, Aurora held its arms wide open and ready to welcome the Bears “storied franchise to the City of Lights.”
Why deal with all that litigation, funding challenges and competing interests, the letter insisted, when “Aurora will move now on a magnificent domed stadium that benefits everyone.”
After all, it continued, there’s lots of property ready for development, easy access to transportation by train, plane and car, not to mention great infrastructure – including the digital kind – and a burgeoning entertainment scene that touts a $400 million revision of Hollywood Casino, as well as expansion of the venerable Paramount Theatre’s outreach, which includes the soon-to-open Stolp Island Theatere, a well as Copley Theatre with its searing BOLD Series.
Speaking of bold, no matter what your thoughts are about Aurora’s chances of landing an NFL stadium, you have to admit this letter was an in-your-face PSA the Aurora of old is gone and there’s a new player in town – or in this case, on the field – that deserves your serious attention.
The letter was filled with all sorts of sports analogies – the Bears “don’t need to call a Hail Mary pass” in their search for a new stadium … Aurora is “on a winning streak” … and views the stadium “as our next successful play.”
“We aren’t simply trying to get in the game. We are saying loudly, ‘We want you here,’” the letter said.
Hats off to whoever actually penned the letter. It was also a smart move adding the Naperville Township assessor’s name to the op-ed, which pretty much guarantees there will be far fewer of those pesky property tax issues to tackle. By including Matt Rasche, the city is obviously looking at a location on the far East Side, and likely would end up partnering with Naperville on some of the details.
According to Clayton Muhammad, senior advisor to the mayor, officials have been been receiving “tons of positive feedback” to the op-ed. To which I add, no matter who crosses the goal line in this NFL stadium saga, it’s hard not to cheer for the one showing the most pride and tenacity, underdog or not.
Well played, Team Aurora.
dcrosby@tribpub.com
