Rahimi, Harris & Grote Show - Score callers sound off on where Bears are in push to build a new stadium

Episode Date: February 20, 2026

Leila Rahimi, Marshall Harris and Mark Grote opened the phone lines for Score listeners to sound off on the Bears’ stadium saga.

This hour is brought to you by Vesectomy Clinics of Chicago. So I think this is a good way to kind of wrap it up in the sense that I would hope that that all, I've done a few of these in the past. So I think that a month or two, from where we've come to where we are, that that would be the time frame where you'll see us hopefully ink the deal. That is Indiana Governor Mike Braun who spoke to Lawrence Holmes and Matt Spiegel yesterday on Spiegel and Holmes. Mike Braun, if you missed it, that was the 5 o'clock segment.

So you can go back and listen on the rewind feature on the Odyssey app. In the meantime, we're taking your calls. 312, 644, 67. We start with Jeff in Kalamazoo. Jeff, you're on Rahimi Harrison Grody. Hey, good morning, guys. One of the things I was looking at is you're probably, I mean, the one person we need to hear about to get clarity on all of this would be George McCasky,

and you're probably never going to hear from him until a deal is done just because I'm guessing he will not want to be asked the question about the legacy that it'll be between his mother and his grandfather moving the team out of Illinois. I don't know how being the Chicago Bears fan he is, how he would deal with that. And another thing people have been wondering about is the song. What do we do with the pride and joy of Illinois? Well, I think I fixed that if they moved to Indiana. I think the lyric will be, You made fans irate when you move to the Hoosier State. Chicago Bears Bear Down.

Perfect. Done deal. I don't know. Maybe. Oh, man. I can't even tell you how many people, like mostly friends and my brother, as a matter of fact. What about the song? Who knows who texts me?

The Pride and Joy of Indiana? I mean, it's making the rounds right now. Yes, everybody is right. The song is messed up. But guess what? They still would be the pride and joy of Illinois, no matter what. It's like an athlete who is from a place, right? And then they go play and make their name in another state.

They're always going to be the pride and joy of Illinois. Halis Hall ain't moving? Halis Hall isn't moving. Well, the Hammond mayor did throw out there the possibility of Hallis Hall. He did say that in his press conference yesterday. Yeah, he did. To help out the caller a little. little bit because when I did go to the to the Arlington Heights pep rally, was it last week now or two

weeks ago? That was last week. I'm losing control of time right now. I got you. I did have, and I reported this then, and I'll say it again now, after the meeting I went to, I did talk to one of the top officials from one of the many northwest suburban representatives that were there, and this person's thought was there's no way George McCasky, the bear's owner, would be able to stomach a press conference where he is discussing the idea of the bears moving to Indiana. In other words, this person was skeptical that George would have, again, the stomach to actually do it. But then what I learned after that is that there's no way the bears would have ever even picked up the phone to talk to Indiana if they weren't serious about Indiana. Yeah, to what I would say to that person who calls him to question, George McCasky, being able to stomach a move to Indiana.

It was a year ago we did think he could stomach foul language. Things change. Keep it moving. I think they're trying to get the best deal possible. But I do wonder how much that emotional aspect factors into all of this. It's a part of it. It has to be a part of it. It's like what I was just talking about.

Like I personally have come, and I wasn't there a year ago, two years ago. I have now come to grips with the idea of I would be okay. Would I be a little disappointed if the Bears left the State? Yeah, for nostalgic reasons. But that's it. I have personally come to grips with the Bears' movement. into Indiana and I'm sure other people are acting accordingly. And as I'm saying this, trust me, I'm getting texts from friends right now.

It's like, what do you mean you want the bears to move to Indiana? I don't want the bears to move to Indiana. I'd be okay with the bears moving to Indiana. The point, too, is that, you know, the bottom line is the same bottom line. It's what's financially best for the residents of your state. And if Illinois thinks that the financial best for the residents of the state of Illinois is not to pay more for the bears, then that's what they're trying to do. and the governor of Indiana thinks that it's a boon for the state of Indiana.

I think additionally on top of that, though, is trying to figure out what Arlington Heights meant to the McCaskey family. Because I think that that is an underlying discussion that those who've reported on the Bears for a long time seemed to think that that was something that the family wanted for a very long time, the concept of Arlington Heights. Well, I'll say, just real quick, Marshall, I'll say, like, this is something I've thought about throughout this whole process. The idea, now with Indiana in play for the people, because for many people, Arlington Heights wasn't digestible. Now it's very digestible. People are like, okay, I'm good with Arlington Heights.

Arlington Heights, Arlington Heights, Arlington Heights, Arlington Heights. Justin is an idea to not go to Indiana. To your point that you made earlier about it being digestible. Yeah. Tony from Juliet called us yesterday. Tony, Tony, Tony, Tony. Has he done it again? He was very much like, I realized after I called you all last time, talking about my steak dinner

that I would give up. I heard that call. And so he, I think a lot of. lot of fans have that emotional response immediately, but then reality sets in and it will be tough, but they will accept. It's educating yourself too on everything that's going on. And there's a lot. It's a lot.

It's a lot to read. It's a, in my case, a lot of conversations to be had and then digesting the information and making it smaller and more digestible. The word of the day today, kids, is digestible. I'm still, I'm still like, I really sure as hell hope you're not wasting everybody's time. like that's my biggest thing too is I hope you're not wasting when you say you're talking about

you hope the bears are not wasting everybody would they be wasted if we're talking about that they've already wasted our time I think we're beyond the point of even lamenting that so to finish my thought I think like you know you go out to Indiana you have them put forth all these bills the Senate is making time and space

on their agendas for this you're asking municipalities to do these things Gary Indiana put a pitch together Portage Indiana put pitch together. Like, I hope this isn't a big time waste. That's been my biggest issue with this, is, you know, you want to use this leverage because you did things out of order. Well, how serious are you? Because even yesterday, they had to walk it back from where we thought we were 24 hours ago. Don't confuse when I say this, because I'm in no way caping for the Chicago Bears. They're a business

doing what's in their best interest, but it's not a waste of time unless a stadium doesn't get built. This is how things get done. Well, they're not building two of them. I know. What I'm saying is you all the people to compete and say the stadium should be here and eventually somebody wins that's where you build the stadium. None of it was a waste of time that's how you get to the end result, competition. It might be taking too long but I don't think it's a waste of time. Yeah, that's like a fine line. Unless they don't build a stadium. And if they play in

Soldier Field for the rest of attorney, then yes, it was a waste of time. I have a feeling they're going to play there for at least a while. We go to Bob in Hammond. Bob, you're on Rahimi-Harrison-Grady. Okay, Bob. Real quick, I just want to make the point and forget politics of the whole thing. But if you're going to put up money, help build the stadium, the state of Illinois, the county of Cook and the city of Chicago are beyond in past debt, pass their eyeballs. Just the unfunded pensions in the state of Illinois would melt most people's minds.

Not that in the state of Indiana, we're floating and, you know, getting carried around in gold, golden, whatever you want to call. Let's go nuggets. We do not have the problems. I mean, when I hear about the legislature in the state of Illinois, maybe putting the brakes on this a little bit and looking out for the taxpayers, they are so far in debt. Guys, I mean, I know this is not a political show,

but I mean, you just hit the Google machine, and the state of Illinois, the city of Chicago, and the county of Cook don't have two nickels to rub together anymore. Well, I think that's why they're concerned, Bob, but I also want to tell you it wasn't the state that pressed pause. It was the Bears who paused that meeting yesterday. Well, that would make me if I'm the owner of the Bears, and I'm thinking of myself, yeah, you're making me this deal today. But I know that in 10 years, this place is going to be a ghost town because you can, I shouldn't say that.

I shouldn't say it like that. But you are going to have, you are going to have even deeper financial obligations. You are not digging out of the hole. You are digging the deep, the whole deeper. Who are they going to go to when they need the money when their back is literally against the wall? Can you trust the state of Illinois, the city of Chicago, the county of Cook to honor anything? How are they going to come up with the money? When they can't even come up, you tell the firefighters and the police department in the city of Chicago,

their pension is less than 40 percent funded. You're going to come up with a billion dollars to put in for infrastructure? And Bob, I don't under that. I don't see that. I think you're right to question where the money is coming from because that, frankly, is your right. and to do it in the state of Indiana, you know, they're telling you that they want to levy certain taxes and change certain structures to be able to add more money for the bears.

And I think the part of it on this side is, state of Illinois is saying, we have this money for you. This is all the money we have for you. This is what it's going toward. And because it's infrastructure related, it's also going toward maintenance of things that are used by other people than just the bears in the state. We continue on our phones, 312, 644, 67, 66.

and a familiar name has popped into the chat. Wayne and Lafayette. Wayne, you're on Rahimi Harrison, Grody. Grody, man, it's been so long. I know. I feel like a doggone settler out in Mormon country or something. Wayne, they try to keep us apart. They try to keep us apart.

There's a conspiracy going on. It's not going to happen. They're not going to keep us apart. Ray's gardening like you're a teenage beauty queen, trying to not get a date with some high school hippie. Well, Wayne, I think Grody's beautiful. He's scarring you like a stepchild, man. He's scarring you, man. I'm glad, glad, Blake, thank God great for you for putting me through today, man.

I didn't talk to my old pals here, man. All right, Wayne. Wayne, I... Hey, you guys. Yes. What do you got for us, buddy? Marshall, I'm sorry. Marshall, I'm sorry.

Oh, you're good. I celebrate love. I love your love for Grody. You're going to be out there one day. I'm going to meet up with you, and we're going to have a big party somewhere, and it's going to be great. But anyway, hey, Brody, man. I'm from Indie. I know.

And I don't want the bears to be in Indiana. They're Chicago Bears. I mean, I don't want them here. They're the Chicago Bears. You Illinois people figure that stuff out somehow or another. Because, heck, I used to go watch them practice at Rensselaer when I was a little, my dad would take me there. Heck, when I was a little Mike Hartinstein and Doug Bofone tossed me around like I was a little basketball.

Wow. A little heart this time. They were bringing back and forth. I was maybe five years old. They picked me up and they just tossed me back and forth. when my dad was getting a big kick out of it. I'm a little uncomfortable when you're getting tossed back and forth by large bears. I'm glad I didn't drop me on my head or something.

I really caused problems. It's been a long time. As I talk to you, man, just great talking to you. I told you we're going to have a great year this year because of Ben, and you deserved that because you've been putting up with all these bad teams and keeping your chin up. Thanks, Wayne. The past few years, man, it's been hell to pay for you.

Wayne, I'm sorry for it, everybody. Wayne, you are the best. I love you dearly. I'm glad we got to talk. And we'll surprise that you're not more pro-Indiana just because of all your Indiana-ness, but it was good to catch up with you. I hope you have a beautiful weekend, Wayne. Let's talk soon.

Bye, man. Bye, Wela. Bye, Wayne. And bye, Marshall. Bye, Wayne. Well, I met Wayne at four wins. I know. When I got to hang out with Ozzy.

I have some pictures. I have some pictures of Wayne and I and you and Wayne. It's great. Now, Wayne is one of. of our best listeners and he comes to our events. And I think in time, Marshall, he's going to warm up to you as well. You just have to meet him outside. I'm just kidding, man.

I'm kidding. You've got to cross a couple state lines or so to hang out with Wayne. Like the Bears. That's right. That's Wayne, man. 3-1-2-644-67-67. Tim in Geneva, you're on 104-3, the score. Hey, good morning, everybody.

First-time caller here, so I really like the show. Thanks, Tim. And just a couple things. I'm not going to get into the fiscal part of it because your previous caller did that. But I think this is a tale of two states. And I've been a Chicago Bears fan for a long time. I was at the two playoff games in 86 with the Giants and the Rams.

And no matter where the Bears end up, Arlington Heights, Chicago, Hammond, Indiana, or heck, if they go to Kentucky, I'm still going to drive to the games. I'm still going to be a Bears fan. So you're not going to lose me on that where they end up. I think this comes to Governor Pritzker. He's up for re-election. He doesn't want to increase taxes, as your previous caller mentioned,

because we can't have that here. We can't increase taxes, and the taxpayer doesn't want it. But he also can't afford to lose the bears with this upcoming election because that would cost him the election. Right. Which is worse? Which is worse? That's the question.

Raising taxes in the state or losing the damn Chicago Bears to your revival state. I understand the concept, and I appreciate the comments. and I do think it is something that people will bring up. I don't know if it loses him an election when the last one was called at a 99% to 1% victory. It would just be talking points, though. It would be a red mark or black mark in the corner of, no matter what, I think, at this point, right? Pritzker raised. It was 1% of the precincts reporting.

Sorry, I wanted to clarify that. Oh, good. Yeah, like he's going to get attacked. If taxes go up and Illinoisans feel that and he's going to get attacked, if the Bears move to Indiana. What I don't know, and I'm genuinely asking, is what's worse? What's the zoom out, though, when you zoom out on maybe his aspirations? Is it just about presidential aspirations? Well, again, I'll ask the quote, what is worse even on that stage?

Losing the Chicago Bears to your rival state or raising taxes to your citizens in Illinois while you govern that. I think raising taxes on the citizens is worse. Look, anytime y'all want, we can take this to a ballot. That's it. That's how I feel. That's the best way to judge how the taxpayers want to pay for a stadium or if they do. You make people vote on it and then everybody gets their say.

But that usually does not favor the taxpayers wanting to pay for a stadium. That's the facts. It hasn't in a long time. Yeah, there's a reason why this doesn't get taken to a ballot. You know, it's one thing to vote on a bill supporting a certain amount of it, like what's happening here. But even then, that bill is voted on by legislator. It's not voted on by the people. If you really want to know, you just pull the people.

If you really want to know. If you really want to party with the bears, that's it. If you really want to party with the bears. Put your money where the people can see, then nobody would be Buckwild. Everybody would have their facts. At least not at this early state of these negotiations

with both Indiana and Illinois. Well, that's it. But yeah, I believe the best way to do it is to make people vote on it, because then you actually get a say. I really wonder what that vote would look like, man. I don't wonder. I know what that.

I'm very confident. I think we're not an accurate sample size because people like the bears on our show. I'm very confident what that vote would look like because that will bring people out who are voting because of what's on the ballot. And they do are like no more of my taxpayer money going to this. A lot of people would. I'm not subsidizing quote unquote billionaires. I get it. 312, 644, 67, 67 is our number.

We have more to come out in Rahimi Harrison Grotie. As we broadcast live from our score Hyundai Studios brought to you by your local Hyundai dealers. coming up next. Do you remember how we didn't get to see a lot of the Cubs trip to Tokyo? Well, apparently we've gotten some help on that. A documentary is coming out about that very trip and we will speak to the director next.