1970 The Bears

Because the Cubs were playing at Wrigley Field, the Bears accepted the offer by NU to host the Bears in Dyche Stadium on September 9, 1970.

Twice during the summer of 1970 the Council attempted to block the game. NU tried to withdraw its offer to the Bears. Then the Bears sought a temporary & permanent injunction to prevent Evanston from enforcing its zoning ordinance to stop the Bears game in Dyche Stadium.

There are many references to the game and its impact on Evanston in various documents, letters and articles throughout this site.

Timeline of events

(derived from information in the various court cases and other documents)

• In July 1970 the Bears filed a complaint against the City and Northwestern in order to 1. require NU to honor its lease agreement and 2. to get a temporary & permanent injunction to prevent Evanston from enforcing its zoning ordinance to stop the Bears game. [Cook Co. Circuit Court, case 70-CH-3080, Chicago Bears v the City of Evanston & Northwestern].
• The City filed its answer to the Bears complaint & a counterclaim against the Bears & NU.
• The Bears answered the counterclaim.
• The Bears made a motion for a temporary injunction and the City made a separate motion.
• After a full hearing on Aug 12, the Circuit Court issued an order for a temporary injunction to allow the Bears game. This interlocutory order denied Evanston's counterclaim for a temporary injunction against the Bears and NU). While the order was being appealed by the City, the Bears played the game, on September 27, 1970. The Appellate Court, on December 23, 1970 ruled "Because the appeal from the temporary injunction is now moot, the appeal is dismissed."
• Circuit & Appellate Court Cases