No sympathy for wealthy Bears

So, Gov. Pritzker is talking about calling a special session of the legislature because the owners of the Chicago Bears, a privately held, family-owned business valued at nearly $9 billion, are unhappy. Is this a joke?

Here’s something everyone involved in this tedious soap opera seems to have forgotten: the Bears already have a place to play. In Illinois. They play their home games at a classic stadium on the beautiful Chicago lakefront and are responsible for a lease that has many years yet to run.

It’s true, they don’t own Soldier Field, it’s a bit small compared to other NFL stadiums and it’s somewhat inconvenient to get in and out of. To these complaints I have to say, “Boohoo.”

The McCaskey family is making lots and lots of money. They wish to make much, much more. How in the world is this a problem for the citizens of Illinois and their elected officials?

Has the pension problem been resolved? How about the disastrous parking meter deal? Has every needy Illinois family been lifted out of poverty? Are our schools clean, safe palaces of learning? Has all public and private corruption been rooted out and prosecuted?

You already know the answers to these questions. The “problems” of a professional sports organization are beyond trivial. Football is nothing more than an entertaining diversion. A Sunday afternoon TV show to watch in a bar with friends for a few months in the fall. Millions of Illinoisans care nothing about it at all It’s enough already.

During a tough contract negotiation years ago, Mike Ditka was quoted as saying that George Halas “threw nickels around like they were manhole covers.”

I suggest we treat the Chicago Bears organization the exact same way.

Thomas Olcese

Arlington Heights