Can Springfield get to the end zone?

Good Tuesday morning, Illinois. The election is over. The politics, not so much.

TOP TALKER

BEARS BEAT: The Chicago Bears are heading back to the negotiating table in Springfield, and lawmakers say they want to get a stadium deal done before the end of the year — even as the battle to replace House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch begins to take shape.

Agenda item: The Bears legislation is expected to be a major focus when lawmakers return to Springfield for veto session next week. The challenge will be finding a compromise that keeps the team in Illinois without putting taxpayers on the hook, while navigating competing interests between Chicago and the suburbs.

State Sen. Bill Cunningham, the Democrat who has been central to the stadium negotiations, said discussions during the legislative break have increasingly centered on a stadium-authority model that would allow a municipality to build a privately financed, publicly owned stadium.

“There seems to be a settling on this, trying to move forward with the stadium authority model,” Cunningham said during a legislative briefing with your Playbook host, and presented by Lincoln Forum and the Union League Club of Chicago State and Local Government Subcommittee.

Some background: The Senate passed legislation this spring creating the stadium-authority model, while the House approved a broader economic development package that included incentives for a potential stadium in Arlington Heights. The Bears have become more comfortable with the Senate approach, Cunningham said.

Importantly, the model would not dictate where the team plays. Under the Senate proposal, any qualifying municipality in Cook County with a population of more than 70,000 could establish a stadium authority. It would also be available to other professional sports franchises.

The discussion comes as the City of Chicago has four different proposals for a Bears Stadium somewhere within its borders. Those sites include the Lakefront’s Soldier Field, which would get a major renovation, the Michael Reese Hospital site in Bronzeville, Rate Field in Bridgeport, and the former U.S. Steel South Works site on the Southeast Side.

Getting a deal across the finish line will require more than agreement among the negotiators. State Rep. Edgar Gonzalez Jr., a Democratic assistant majority leader, said the real test will be whether the House has the votes when a revised proposal comes back.

And there’s politics: Gonzalez acknowledged that Chicago’s mayoral politics could complicate efforts to build support for the project, with some lawmakers potentially reluctant to hand Brandon Johnson a political win.

Brass tacks: State Sen. Sue Rezin, a Republican deputy leader, said the state needs to stop debating and put a workable proposal on the table. She pointed to Indiana as a serious alternative for the Bears and said Illinois risks losing another major investment if lawmakers can't get past the politics.

“We're at the point where we need to take the politics out of it,” Rezin said.

Wrap it up, already: And state Rep. Ryan Spain, a Republican deputy leader, said the state needs to reach a conclusion before a new General Assembly is sworn in in January. Cunningham's impending retirement makes that timeline particularly important, he said.

Bring it home: “Bill is retiring, which is a whole different discussion that I wish he wasn't,” Spain said, referring to Cunningham. “He has worked so hard on this and understands this issue, and we need to bring it to a conclusion.”

Spain also cautioned against abandoning the broader economic development provisions in the House bill. Incentives for so-called mega projects, including construction tax credits and STAR bonds, could benefit communities beyond the Bears' potential stadium sites, he said.

The speaker factor: The stadium negotiations will unfold against a changing political backdrop. Welch's decision not to seek another term as speaker has opened a leadership contest that will dominate conversations among House Democrats in the weeks ahead.

Staying on track: But Gonzalez said the agenda for the veto session was largely established before Welch's announcement, and he doesn't expect the leadership transition to displace the major policy discussions.

On the agenda: Besides the Bears, data center regulation and recommendations from a House working group on improving workplace culture are among the issues lawmakers are preparing to tackle, he said.

About the speaker stakes: Add state Rep. Mary Beth Canty to the list of potential candidates for Illinois House speaker following Welch announcing he wouldn’t seek the gavel again. Canty chairs the House Democratic Women’s Caucus and was among the lawmakers who urged Welch not to seek another term. Others mentioned include state Reps. Kam Buckner, Eva-Dina Delgado, Jehan Gordon-Booth, Jay Hoffman and Ann Williams.

THE BUZZ

THE FIGHT over who makes the ballot in Chicago’s mayoral race is moving to the Electoral Board, where challenges to candidate signatures are now being heard. Mayor Brandon Johnson is among those facing objections, along with several other candidates, as rivals and political operatives scrutinize the paperwork needed to qualify for February’s election. Candidates need 12,500 valid signatures to get on the ballot.

Former state Sen. Rickey Hendon, now a political consultant for candidate Willie Wilson, is among the objectors and has challenged petitions filed by Johnson and another mayoral hopeful. Johnson has said he is confident he collected enough signatures to survive the challenges. The board has received 108 objections across city races, including contests for alderperson, city clerk and treasurer. Hearings are expected to stretch over several weeks, with candidates’ ballot access potentially at stake, reports ABC 7.

MAYORAL CHALLENGERS

Susana Mendoza vows to repair 'damaged relationship' between City Hall and business, by the Sun-Times’ Fran Spielman

Alexi Giannoulias catches flak over support of Northwest Side Ald. Jim Gardiner, by the Tribune’s Alice Yin

If you are Jim Gardiner, Playbook would like to hear from you! Email: skapos@politico.com

WHERE'S JB

No official public events

WHERE's BRANDON

— At Roseland Neighborhood Health Center at 9:30 a.m. to give remarks at the CARE Clinic Expansion event — Online at 10:45 a.m. to address members of the United Nations — At Kenwood Academy at 11 a.m. to give remarks at a ribbon cutting — At National Louis University at 6 p.m. to give remarks at the Youth Fair Share Budget Lakeside Chat

Where's Toni

No official public events

Have a tip, suggestion, birthday, new job or a (gasp!) complaint? Email: skapos@politico.com

BUSINESS OF POLITICS

— Aaron Del Mar, the GOP lieutenant governor candidate, said Illinois Republicans “need to be talking about our platform” and doing so now, instead of just months before an election. He also called for a statewide working convention in March 2027, and for direct elections of State Central Committee members by Republican primary voters, via Fox 32’s Brandon Pope

— 1st Ward race: Ald. Daniel La Spata faces challenges from Democratic Committeeperson Laura Yepez and businessman Bill Thanoukos, via Block Club.

— In Elgin: 5-term incumbent City Council member John Steffen was kicked off the ballot after failing to sign his statement of candidacy or get it notarized, by the Daily Herald’s Rick West.

AROUND THE STATE

— Will County Board member Destinee Ortiz seeks Flock camera ban, data center moratorium, by the Tribune’s Michelle Mullins

— In Alsip: Term limits to be eased, potentially benefiting controversial Mayor John Ryan: Other suburbs — Calumet Park, Crestwood, Highland Park, Markham and Niles — also had ballot questions in the Nov. 3 election implementing new limits on how many years elected officials can serve in municipal office,” by the Sun-Times’ Robert Herguth.

— Day in court: Indictment announced against Palatine teen charged with plotting Aurora Hindu temple mass shooting, by the Daily Herald’s Barbara Vitello

IN CHICAGO

— Alderpersons grill Chicago election officials about glitch that caused ballot shortages, via ABC 7

— Mayor says he’s ‘always’ favored gunshot detection technology as voters supported its return: He still defended his decision to end the city’s contract with ShotSpotter, by Block Club’s Kade Heather.

— City sports commission hopes better terms can be met for hosting 2031 Women's World Cup, by the Sun-Times’Violet Miller

TAKING NAMES

— SPOTTED: Sens.-elect Juliana Stratton and Peggy Flanagan, who became friends while serving as lieutenant governors of Illinois and Minnesota, respectively, reunited in Washington on Monday for Senate orientation. Pic, picand pic!And Congressman-elect Daniel Biss talks to reporters here.

— Making history: Guests at the National Women’s History Museum’s Women Making History Awards were surprised when Sen.-elect Juliana Stratton took the stage at the Navy Pier event over the weekend. Stratton, who introduced the evening’s first honoree, Laura Ricketts, said she wouldn’t be where she is today without her. Ricketts, along with her wife, Brooke Skinner Ricketts, co-chaired Stratton’s campaign finance team. She also separately contributed $250,000 to Illinois Future PAC, which supported Stratton’s campaign.

All the names: Civil rights icon Ruby Bridges was introduced by Obama Foundation’s Tina Tchen. Other honorees included the U.S. Women’s National Hockey Team; entrepreneur and clean beauty advocate Gregg Renfrew, law firm ArentFox Schiff, and social studies teachers Serene Williams and Kristen Kelly, recipients of the inaugural Meryl Streep Educator Award. Also spotted: National Women’s History Museum board members and event co-chairs Susan D. Whiting, Mary Smith, Singleton McAllister and Joyce Winnecke; philanthropists Ann Drake and Carol Bernick; architect Carol Ross Barney; and force of nature Hedy Ratner.

— Cliff Rome, the Chicago chef and entrepreneur, is teaming up with Salamander Collection, a national luxury hospitality company, to support culinary education in Chicago. Proceeds from an inaugural food-focused event in Virginia will benefit Mise en Place, a program that prepares Chicago hospitality workers for careers in the industry.

Reader Digest

We asked what the new Congress should do after being sworn in.

Rita Bomher: “Start the investigations into corruption. Americans don’t want revenge, we want/need accountability.”

Lissa Druss: “Start a national campaign about civics and the importance of voting- regardless of political party.”

William Dwyer: “Introduce a bill to amend HR1 legislation that gutted SNAP and Medicaid benefits for millions of people, and dare Republicans and Trump to oppose it.”

Charles Keller: “Impeach Trump. Because that's why.”

Ed Mazur: “Pass a high-school level U.S. Constitution test.”

Marilynn Miller: “Get rid of gerrymandering and big money.”

Joseph Monack: “Restore Medicaid by repealing the disastrous cuts that are about to go into effect.”

Alison Pure-Slovin: “Reaffirm its unequivocal support for the democratic State of Israel to exist as a sovereign nation.”

Jourdan Sorrell: “Reverse SNAP and Medicaid rollbacks while lowering costs for families.”

James Straus: “Pass the Dream Act.”

Next question: What’s a tip for starting a new job?

THE NATIONAL TAKE

— Trump says his deportation agenda was ‘too tough,’ repeating interest in a deal with Dems, by POLITICO’s Myah Ward

— House Republican sets off Hegseth impeachment vote, by POLITICO’s Mark Satter, Connor O'Brien and Kyle Cheney

TRIVIA

MONDAY’s ANSWER: Congrats to Mary Kay Minaghan for correctly answering that Carol Marin resigned from NBC 5 in 1997 in protest of the station hiring tabloid talk-show host Jerry Springer as a news commentator

Today’s question: Why did Loretta Swit a/k/a "Hot Lips Houlihan" appear at a City Council committee hearing?

EVENTS

— Wednesday: The Civic Federation will host a panel discussion on the launch of the Illinois Department of Early Childhood and how it will impact families, providers and organizations serving young children. Details here

— Thursday: Ald. Rossana Rodríguez Sánchez is hosting a “Revolution Around the Sun” fundraiser. Details here

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Ald. Anthony Quezada, PromptedComms founder Jason Erkes, Highland Park City Manager Ghida Neukirch, Common Ground Collective Executive Director Chuck Swirsky, Rodriguez Media Communications CEO Eve Rodriguez Montoya, immediate past president of the Illinois State Society of Washington, D.C., Howard Marks, WAND-TV political reporter Mike Miletich and Crain’s senior reporter Ally Marotti

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