Grounds crew members glow snow off the field at Soldier Field during the first half of an NFL football divisional playoff game between the Chicago Bears and the Los Angeles Rams Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026, in Chicago.
Nam Y. Huh/AP
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Nam Y. Huh/AP
Illinois lawmakers will debate legislation this week that could persuade The Chicago Bears to stay in the city’s suburbs, after Indiana’s legislature last month passed a bill that would open the door for a new stadium to be built in northwest Indiana. Here’s what you need to know:
What is Indiana offering?
On Feb. 26, Indiana Governor Mike Braun signed into law a bill that authorized funding for a new stadium in the Indiana town of Hammond, which is about 28 miles from Chicago.
“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,” Braun said in a post on X.
The Bears said in a statement — issued shortly after the bill passed, but before the governor signed it –- that the team was “grateful” for Indiana’s leadership “establishing the framework for a stadium development in Northwest Indiana.”
How is Illinois responding?
In 2023, The Bears purchased a 326-acre, $197.2 million property in Arlington Heights, Ill., for a potential new stadium. But largely due to concerns over property taxes, the timeline on construction remains unclear.
Although the Bears said they planned to pay for the stadium itself, a team consultant report released in October revealed the Bears are actually seeking $855 million in public funding to cover the stadium’s infrastructure costs.
Illinois lawmakers this week will return to the state capital, Springfield, to debate a bill that would give developers of large construction projects, also known as “mega projects,” a break on property taxes. While this could pave the way for construction on a new stadium, critics say it could also hike up property taxes while giving breaks to a more than $8 billion franchise.
But now that Indiana has taken concrete steps to entice the team to cross the state line, Illinois lawmakers are feeling the pressure to keep hold of the team.
In his first “State of the Village” address since taking office last year, Arlington Heights Mayor Jim Tinaglia hinted that the Bears will strike a deal with Indiana if Illinois doesn’t act in the next few weeks.
“Waiting until the end of May, I think, is a no-go for the Bears,” Tingalia said. “They’ve already been through the [wringer] too many times.”
Why do the Bears want a new stadium?
Soldier Field, where the Bears have played since 1971, is the NFL’s smallest stadium with 61,500 seats.
The Bears do not own Soldier Field, but instead rent the stadium, and their lease runs through 2033.
Owning their own stadium would give The Bears full control over operations, scheduling, and revenue
The Chicago Bears are considering building their own enclosed stadium to have complete control over operations, scheduling, and revenue. Currently playing at Soldier Field, an open-air stadium, team executives have expressed interest in constructing a new venue that would allow for hosting major sporting events in the winter, such as the Super Bowl or NCAA Final Four games.
While the exact location of the new stadium is yet to be announced, Kevin Warren, the team’s President and CEO, emphasized the importance of exploring various opportunities, including Arlington Park and northwest Indiana, in an open letter. Warren highlighted the potential benefits for Illinois, including the creation of thousands of union jobs, year-round attractions, and the hosting of global events with a fixed roof stadium that would generate long-term revenue for the state.
“The stakes for Illinois are significant,” Warren stated. “For a project of this magnitude, uncertainty can have significant consequences.”
