Illinois Lawmakers Debate Stadium Legislation Amid Indiana’s Offer to Chicago Bears

Illinois lawmakers will debate legislation this week that could persuade the Chicago Bears to remain in the city’s suburbs. This comes after Indiana’s legislature passed a bill last month that would open the door for a new stadium to be built in northwest Indiana.

What Is Indiana Offering?

On February 26, Indiana Governor Mike Braun signed into law a bill authorizing funding for a new stadium in the Indiana town of Hammond, approximately 28 miles from Chicago. Governor Braun expressed enthusiasm, stating on X, “I’m thrilled to sign Senate Bill 27 to create the framework to build a new world-class stadium in Northwest Indiana. Now let’s get this across the goal line.”

The Bears issued a statement shortly after the bill passed—but before the governor signed it—expressing gratitude for Indiana’s leadership in “establishing the framework for a stadium development in Northwest Indiana.”

How Is Illinois Responding?

In 2023, the Bears purchased a 326-acre property in Arlington Heights, Illinois, for $197.2 million with plans for a potential new stadium. However, concerns over property taxes have clouded the timeline for construction.

Although the Bears initially said they would fund the stadium themselves, a consultant report released in October revealed the team is seeking $855 million in public funding to cover infrastructure costs associated with the stadium.

This week, Illinois lawmakers return to the state capital, Springfield, to debate a bill that would provide property tax breaks to developers of large construction projects, also known as “mega projects.” While this legislation could clear the way for a new stadium, critics argue it might increase property taxes overall while granting significant tax breaks to a franchise valued at over $8 billion.

With Indiana having taken definitive steps to attract the Bears across the state line, Illinois lawmakers are feeling increased pressure to keep the team. In his first “State of the Village” address, Arlington Heights Mayor Jim Tinaglia warned that the Bears may forge a deal with Indiana if Illinois does not act soon.

“Waiting until the end of May, I think, is a no-go for the Bears,” said Mayor Tinaglia. “They’ve already been through the [wringer] too many times.”

Why Do the Bears Want a New Stadium?

Soldier Field, the Bears’ home since 1971, is currently the NFL’s smallest stadium with a seating capacity of 61,500. The Bears do not own Soldier Field but instead rent the stadium, with the lease running through 2033.

Owning their own stadium would grant the Bears greater control over operations, scheduling, and revenue streams from ticket sales, concessions, parking, and more. Moreover, Soldier Field is an open-air stadium, and team executives have expressed a desire for an enclosed stadium that would enable hosting major wintertime sporting events, such as the Super Bowl or NCAA Final Four.

While the Bears have yet to announce a final location for their new stadium, Kevin Warren, the team’s President and CEO, emphasized in an open letter the need to evaluate multiple opportunities, including Arlington Park and northwest Indiana.

“The stakes for Illinois are significant: thousands of union jobs, year-round attractions, and global events made possible by a fixed roof stadium that would provide long-term revenue for the State,” Warren said. “For a project of this scale, uncertainty has significant consequences.”

https://www.npr.org/2026/03/14/g-s1-113826/why-the-chicago-bears-could-be-moving-to-indiana