The frustration expressed by Pritzker highlights the tightrope the Bears must walk in negotiating stadium deals with two states and the predicament the governor faces to avoid losing the team on his watch while not giving away the farm to keep them.

The Bears statement came a day after a “productive” three-hour meeting that included Bears representatives, senior staff from Pritzker’s office, Rep. Kam Buckner and Sen. Bill Cunningham. But Bears team president Kevin Warren did not attend, according to a source familiar with the ongoing talks.

“The Bears really do need to step up and be public about what it is that they really want,” Pritzker told reporters today at an unrelated press conference. “The Bears need to make their intentions known. Those intentions could be that they want to continue to talk to both states, but I think they need to clarify that.”

Pritzker also took shots at Indiana, saying the existing infrastructure and property in Arlington Heights is a “much better location for development than anywhere that’s been proposed in the state of Indiana, in fact, better than all of the state of Indiana.”

"I don’t think the taxpayers want us to build them a stadium," he said. "On the other hand . . . we support private businesses in the state, and so infrastructure, which is going to be very expensive, it’ll be even more expensive in the state of Indiana, for what they need to build wherever the heck they’re going to end up thinking about looking."

The Bears declined to comment.

There is urgency in Illinois to make headway on legislation smoothing the team’s exit from Soldier Field to Arlington Heights, but that pressure will evaporate if the Indiana bill does not clear both chambers by the end of their session on Feb. 27.

Even if a bill is approved, it’s unlikely to immediately lead to a signed deal for the team to move to Hammond. The Bears only committed yesterday to continue their due diligence on both the site itself and financial structure.

While the final details are still being worked out and not publicly known, Pritzker has known for years the team is seeking property tax relief through what’s known as a PILOT, or payment in lieu of taxes. The incentive allows a developer to freeze their property tax bill and instead negotiate an annual payment with local taxing authorities. 

Lawmakers in Arlington Heights have not disclosed the financial terms of such a deal but say the parameters are in place, and they have urged Pritzker and the General Assembly to move the legislation.

Despite his frustration, Pritzker said he’s “hopeful” a deal can be approved in Illinois, but said “we’re not going to overpay or take advantage of taxpayers to get it done.”

“These are complicated matters, and sometimes things (that) are unintended happen. So, I’m hopeful that everything will be able to get back on track and get what I think the Bears want and what the people of Illinois want,” he said.