Grounds crew members remove snow from the field at Soldier Field during the first half of the NFL football divisional playoff game between the Chicago Bears and Los Angeles Rams on 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 passed a bill last month that would open the door to building a new stadium in northwest Indiana. Here’s what you need to know:
What does Indiana offer?
On February 26, Indiana Governor Mike Braun signed a bill authorizing funding for a new stadium in the Indiana city of Hammond, about 28 miles from Chicago.
“I am thrilled to sign Senate Bill 27 to create the framework to build a new world-class stadium in Northwest Indiana. Let’s get it across the goal line now,” Braun said in a statement. post on x.
The Bears said in a statement – shortly after the bill was passed, but before it was signed by the governor – that the team was “grateful” for Indiana’s leadership, “establishing the framework for the development of a stadium in Northwest Indiana.”
How is Illinois responding?
In 2023, the Bears purchased a 326-acre, $197.2 million property in Arlington Heights, Illinois for a potential new stadium. But construction timelines remain unclear, largely due to concerns over property taxes.
Although the Bears said they planned to pay for the stadium themselves, a team advisor report Reports released in October revealed that the Bears are actually seeking $855 million in public funding to cover stadium infrastructure costs.
Illinois lawmakers will return to the state capital Springfield this week debate a bill This will provide exemption on property tax to developers of large construction projects, also known as “mega projects”. While this could pave the way for the construction of a new stadium, critics say it could also lead to increased property taxes while Over $8 Billion Franchise.
But now that Indiana has taken concrete steps to lure the team to cross state lines, Illinois lawmakers are feeling pressure to hold on to the team.
In his first “State of the Village” address since taking office last year, Arlington Heights Mayor Jim Tinaglia indicated If Illinois doesn’t take action in the next few weeks the Bears will reach a deal with Indiana.
“I think waiting until the end of May is not an option for the bears,” Tingalia said. “They’ve already been through (the ringer) several times.”
Why do the Bears want a new stadium?
Soldier Field, where the Bears have played since 1971, is the NFL’s smallest stadium at 61,500 seats.
The Bears do not own Soldier Field, rather they lease the stadium, and their lease runs through 2033. Owning their own stadium would give the Bears control over operations, scheduling and revenue from ticket sales, concessions, parking and more.
Soldier Field is an open-air stadium, and team officials have also stated that they want to build a closed stadium that would allow hosting other major sporting events, such as the Super Bowl or NCAA Final Four games, in the winter time.
Although the Bears have not yet announced where their new stadium will be located, team president and CEO Kevin Warren said, said in an open letter The team needs to evaluate opportunities other than Arlington Park, including Northwest Indiana.
Warren said, “The stakes are significant for Illinois: thousands of union jobs, year-round attractions and global events made possible by a fixed-roof stadium that will provide long-term revenue for the state.” “For a project of this scale, uncertainty has significant consequences.”
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