Midwest
Former Illinois governor slams Pritzker for ‘malpractice’ as Bears look to flee to red state
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Former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich argued Gov. JB Pritzker got “outplayed and outflanked” as the Chicago Bears look to leave the state for Indiana.
On Thursday, an Indiana House panel approved legislation to help finance a potential new NFL stadium for the team. The facility could be constructed near Wolf Lake in Hammond, Indiana, just across the state border.
“The Indiana legislature did what it did, and it caught our governor asleep,” Blagojevich said Saturday on “Fox & Friends Weekend.”
A general view inside Soldier Field during the national anthem prior to the game between the Seattle Seahawks and the Chicago Bears in Chicago, Illinois, on Dec. 26, 2024. (Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
“Governor Pritzker really is guilty of gubernatorial malpractice, and this isn’t the first time a major business is about to leave Illinois,” he added.
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Blagojevich blamed the blue state’s high taxes as a reason the team may be considering the move, noting other major companies like Boeing and Tyson Foods that have already left.
“He [Pritzker] spent $3 billion on illegal immigrants, migrants, and apparently doesn’t have the money or has paid the attention to try to keep the Bears in Illinois,” he said.
Fox News Digital reached out to representatives of Pritzker but did not immediately hear back.
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson push back on Trump’s plan to send National Guard and boost ICE enforcement in Chicago on Sept. 2, 2025, in Chicago, Illinois. (Getty Images; Scott Olson)
“He’s been outplayed and outflanked by this Indiana governor because his priorities are all about defending sanctuary for illegal immigrants,” Blagojevich said.
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The Bears released a statement on the development plans, calling them the “most meaningful step forward” in their quest for a new stadium.
Chicago leaders, however, aren’t giving up hope. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson said during a news conference that the Bears “belong” in Chicago, adding that the door is open for conversations with the team about remaining in its namesake city.
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“[Pritzker] turned his back on a working-class fan base of the Chicago Bears,” Blagojevich said.
“This would be a disgrace if Pritzker allows the Bears to leave and allows the governor of Indiana to intercept our Bears.”
Chicago Bears helmets before the start of the game against Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on Sept. 28, 2025, in Paradise, Nevada. (Kiyoshi Mio/Imagn Images)
Pritzker told reporters he was “very disappointed” and caught off guard by the Bears’ latest announcement, saying his staff spoke to the franchise for more than three hours on Wednesday.
While Illinois leaders expressed shock at the news, Indiana Gov. Mike Braun revealed the Bears approached his state five months ago after being “rebuffed” by its own government.
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“This is dereliction because they’ve been trying to work with the state, with the city, for three years,” Braun said Saturday on “Fox News Live.”
The Indiana governor confirmed he has no intention of changing the team’s title, noting that “Chicago Bears” remains an “iconic name” regardless of the zip code. He said he’s looking to give the franchise a “better home” in a state where the “dollar goes a lot farther.”
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Smoke from Canadian wildfires is smothering Northeast Ohio and much of the Great Lakes region. The Ohio EPA issued an air quality alert on Thursday. The agency expects our current air quality to remain “unhealthy,” for much of the day and possibly into the weekend.
As of 5:45 p.m. on Thursday, AirNow.gov described the air quality in Cleveland as “hazardous.” The current air quality was rated as 361 at that time. At 2 p.m., the air quality was at 502. A source at a Northeast Ohio park system reported one air quality sensor reading in the 700s on Thursday afternoon. For comparison, a range of 50 to 100 is considered “moderate” or “generally safe.” Anything above “300” is considered “hazardous.”
Cities across the Great Lakes states registered air quality ranging from unhealthy to hazardous — which means it’s unhealthy for anyone, regardless of health conditions. Microscopic particles can lodge deep in the lungs and enter the bloodstream, leading to heart and lung problems and contributing to other long-term health issues.
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Dr. Samuel Gurevich, a pulmonologist at the Cleveland Clinic, said conditions are particularly dangerous for children with asthma, pregnant women and people with heart conditions.
“We know that air pollution in general can really trigger a number of health issues, including simple things that we think about like asthma or COPD, but they can actually also trigger cardiovascular events. And smoke from wildfires is no exception,” he said in a statement issued through the Cleveland Clinic. “They actually put into the air a lot of what we call particulate matter, which are these very, very fine particles of dust and other organic matter that then can easily be breathed in and can irritate the airways or even be absorbed into the bloodstream.”
Northeast Ohioans are urged to stay indoors while air quality remains in the unhealthy range. Gurevich recommended donning an N95 protective mask if you do have to venture outdoors. However, medical officials insisted that respiratory ailments are not the only conditions exacerbated by the wildfire smoke.
“While breathing problems and respiratory health dangers are often considered the biggest health impact from wildfire smoke, it’s important to recognize the impact on cardiovascular health, as well.,” said Dr. Meera Kondapaneni, board president of the American Heart Association’s Greater Cleveland division and an interventional cardiologist with The MetroHealth System. “Wildfire smoke contains a lot of pollutants including fine, microscopic particles linked to cardiovascular risk. As these fires continue to burn that contaminated smoke is traveling many miles beyond the immediately affected area.”
Cleveland, Cuyahoga County take action
All playgrounds, outdoor pools and youth sports in Cleveland are cancelled due to the air quality. Indoor pools remain open. Cuyahoga County offered the following tips for residents:
- Limit time outdoors, especially during the afternoon and early evening when ozone levels are often highest.
- Stay inside and in an air-conditioned area with windows and doors closed if possible.
- Reduce strenuous outdoor activity such as running, biking, and yardwork.
- If you must be outside, stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water, non-alcoholic and decaffeinated fluids, even if you don’t feel thirsty.
- Check your city’s website for locations of cooling centers.
- The Division of Senior and Adult Services maintains a map of agencies and resources to assist older adults.
Cleveland city officials are extending hours at Neighborhood Resource and Recreation Centers (NRRCs) to offer shelter for residents exposed to the wildfire air. On Thursday and Friday, the following facilities will be open from 11:30 a.m. until 10 p.m.:
- Zelma George: 3155 Martin L. King Blvd.
- Collinwood: 16300 Lakeshore Blvd.
- Gunning: 16700 Puritas Ave.
- Kovacic: 6250 St. Clair Ave.
- Frederick Douglass: 15401 Miles Ave.
- Michael Zone: 6301 Lorain Ave.
The following facilities will be open from 11:30 a.m. until 7:30 p.m.:
- Lonnie Burten: 2511 East 46th Street
- Clark: 5706 Clark Ave.
- Cory: 10510 Drexel Ave.
- Cudell: 1910 West Blvd.
- Estabrook: 4125 Fulton Rd.
- Fairfax: 2335 East 82nd Street
- Hamilton: 13200 Kinsman Ave.
- Glenville: 680 E. 113th Street
- Thurgood Marshall: 8611 Hough Ave.
- Sterling: 1380 East 32nd Street
- Earle B. Turner: 11300 Miles Ave.
- Stella Walsh: 7345 Broadway Ave.
- Woodland: 9206 Woodland Ave.
Longterm air quality
National Weather Service meteorologist Jake Petr said even if winds from the northwest clear skies as expected later this week, the smoky air could keep returning until the fires are out. That could take weeks or longer.
“Anytime we have something that could bring air from that region until the fires are over, it could conceivably dip back into the area,” Petr said.
A study published this year found that long-term exposure to tiny particles from wildfire smoke contributed to an average of 24,100 deaths a year in the lower 48 states. Long-term exposure can make existing health problems worse and lead to a range of chronic and deadly health issues, including respiratory illness, cardiovascular and neurological diseases, and premature death.
This story features reporting from the Associated Press’s Philip Marcelo, Tammy Webber reported from Fenton, Michigan. Associated Press reporters Ed White in Detroit, Jacqueline GaNun in Lansing, Michigan.
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The Associated Press’ climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP’s standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.
Illinois
Illinois awards AD Josh Whitman a new contract worth more than $31 million over the next 10 years
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Illinois has extended athletic director Josh Whitman’s contract through 2036, committing more than $31 million over the next 10 years on the heels of a series of standout seasons for the department and its teams.
The university’s board of trustees approved the new deal for Whitman at its regular meeting on Thursday. The fifth-longest tenured AD among the four power conferences will make $2.15 million during the 2026-27 school year, a salary increase of more than 40%.
Whitman is scheduled to receive $100,000 raises annually before a $200,000 bump to $3.15 million in the final year of the agreement and a $500,000 retention bonus each June 30 that he remains on the job at Illinois.
The contract also includes additional incentives of up to $500,000 annually related to performance goals set by the university chancellor and three automatic one-year extensions through 2039 if certain Illini football and men’s basketball performance measures are met.
Whitman, a former Illinois football player, was hired in 2016. This was the fifth time his contract has been amended. The men’s basketball team reached the NCAA Final Four in April for the first time in 21 years. The football team won 19 games over the last two seasons, a program record for that span. Illini athletics also set a revenue record for a fourth consecutive year and topped $200 million for the first time in 2025-26, according to the board of trustees meeting memo.
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