Fairly certain I read that the Bears have paid off their portion, it's the City that owes money on Soldier Field. The Bears have been trying to get some sort of agreement going for a while meanwhile the state has only just started talking. This strikes me as pure posturing and negotiating just as you said. And everyone needs to play their part
You are correct. The Bears have paid off their share of the 2003 renovations.
Soldier Field is owned by the Chicago Park District. The debt is tied to the state and the ISFA, with taxpayers paying off the liability.
The Bears' lease runs through 2033. They can leave early. And you don't pay $197M for land only to move to Indiana.
This is all about the infrastructure around Arlington Heights and getting money for that. Better roads, utilities, etc. around where that stadium would be. This is all political posturing at this point.
If they leave, let them. Indiana tax payers can enjoy a Chicago team and being fleeced for it. The Bears get stuck with a big piece of land in Arlington Heights they already own.
Whatever happens, I do not like Kevin Warren. At all. Dude can't wait to be standing in the background of the locker room speech videos after wins with his stupid orange tie.