Here’s what Chicago’s mayor said about Bears fans attending games at Soldier Field

As NFL cities across the country slowly increase the number of fans allowed to attend games during the COVID-19 pandemic, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot isn’t ready to welcome Bears diehards back to Soldier Field just yet.

In fact, Mayor Lightfoot said there’s less than a 50% chance fans will be at Soldier Field at any point this year during an appearance on 670 The Score.

“We’ve had challenges there,” Lightfoot said. “The Bears have to be better partners in a range of different issues, this as well.”

The Bears announced in August that home games would be played without fans in 2020.

“After discussing a draft plan with City health officials, the Bears and the City of Chicago agreed the health metrics show that it is not the right time to welcome fans back to Soldier Field. The health and safety of the city’s residents and fans of the Bears will always take priority. The team and City will continue to monitor the environment and believe there can be a sound plan in place to bring fans back to Soldier Field once it is deemed safe and appropriate. Until then, Bears home games will not include in-person fans.”

As is the case with just about everything in the United States right now, the novel coronavirus will determine what happens and when. The Bears will likely monitor the success other teams across the league have controlling outbreaks (or limiting them) following games with fans in attendance and, maybe at some point in the season, will allow Bears fans to return to Soldier Field.

Chicago’s kicks off their home schedule Sunday against the New York Giants (0-1).