Stalled stadium talks in Arlington Heights create opening for Chicago mayor — if he’s willing to rewrite his playbook

The historic colonnades of old Soldier Field are reflected in the glass exterior of the then-newly renovated stadium in 2003. Nearly 20 years later, the Chicago Bears have bought land in the suburbs, hoping to build a new stadium there. (Associated Press)

The Bears’ stalled stadium touchdown drive in Arlington Heights has cracked the door open for Mayor Brandon Johnson to keep the team in Chicago — but only if he’s willing to spend the enormous political capital it would take to move the team to the front of a long line.

Johnson is under intense pressure to deliver on his campaign promise to make $1 billion worth of “investments in people.” The smorgasbord of jobs, education, mental health and social programs is the cornerstone of the new mayor’s anti-violence strategy.