Pritzker can't clinch a Bears deal

If Gov. JB Pritzker truly intends to run for president, Illinois voters should ask a simple question: How can he claim to be a strong national leader and negotiator when he has been unable to keep the Chicago Bears in Illinois?

The role of a president is to serve the interests of the citizens he represents. Here at home, the citizens of Illinois overwhelmingly want the Bears to remain in our state. Yet the governor has not been able to strike a deal that accomplishes that basic goal.

This isn’t a minor issue. The Bears are not just a sports franchise; they are an economic engine, a cultural institution and a point of statewide pride. Losing them to Indiana would mean losing jobs, tax revenue, tourism and identity. A governor who cannot negotiate effectively with one of the most important organizations in the state raises legitimate questions about his ability to negotiate on behalf of the entire nation.

What makes this even more concerning is the contrast. Pritzker has shown he is willing to provide subsidies and financial support to companies such as a China-linked battery manufacturer. Yet when it comes to the Bears, a team that Illinois residents care about the most, he has been unable to deliver a solution.

If he cannot keep the Bears in Illinois, how can he convince Americans he can keep jobs, industries and opportunities in the United States? Leadership is measured by results, and on this issue, the results speak loudly.

Timothy Walter, Arlington Heights