Grounds crew members glow snow off the sector at Soldier Area in the course of the first half of an NFL soccer divisional playoff recreation 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 laws this week that would persuade The Chicago Bears to remain within the metropolis’s suburbs, after Indiana’s legislature final month handed a invoice that will open the door for a brand new stadium to be inbuilt northwest Indiana. Here is what it’s essential know:
What’s Indiana providing?
On Feb. 26, Indiana Governor Mike Braun signed into legislation a invoice that approved funding for a brand new stadium within the Indiana city of Hammond, which is about 28 miles from Chicago.
“I am thrilled to signal Senate Invoice 27 to create the framework to construct a brand new world-class stadium in Northwest Indiana. Now let’s get this throughout the objective line,” Braun stated in a submit on X.
The Bears stated in a press release — issued shortly after the invoice handed, however earlier than the governor signed it –- that the group was “grateful” for Indiana’s management “establishing the framework for a stadium improvement in Northwest Indiana.”
How is Illinois responding?
In 2023, The Bears bought a 326-acre, $197.2 million property in Arlington Heights, Unwell., for a possible new stadium. However largely as a result of issues over property taxes, the timeline on development stays unclear.
Though the Bears stated they deliberate to pay for the stadium itself, a group advisor report launched in October revealed the Bears are literally in search of $855 million in public funding to cowl the stadium’s infrastructure prices.
Illinois lawmakers this week will return to the state capital, Springfield, to debate a invoice that will give builders of huge development initiatives, also called “mega initiatives,” a break on property taxes. Whereas this might pave the best way for development on a brand new stadium, critics say it may additionally hike up property taxes whereas giving breaks to a greater than $8 billion franchise.
However now that Indiana has taken concrete steps to entice the group to cross the state line, Illinois lawmakers are feeling the strain to maintain maintain of the group.
In his first “State of the Village” deal with since taking workplace final yr, Arlington Heights Mayor Jim Tinaglia hinted that the Bears will strike a cope with Indiana if Illinois does not act within the subsequent few weeks.
“Ready till the tip of Might, I believe, is a no-go for the Bears,” Tingalia stated. “They’ve already been by way of the [wringer] too many occasions.”
Why do the Bears desire a new stadium?
Soldier Area, the place the Bears have performed since 1971, is the NFL’s smallest stadium with 61,500 seats.
The Bears don’t personal Soldier Area, however as a substitute lease the stadium, and their lease runs by way of 2033. Proudly owning their very own stadium would give The Bears management over operations, scheduling and income from ticket gross sales, concessions, parking and extra.
Soldier Area is an open-air stadium, and group executives have additionally stated they need to construct an enclosed stadium that will enable for wintertime internet hosting of different main sporting occasions, such because the Tremendous Bowl or NCAA Remaining 4 video games.
Though the Bears have but to announce the place their new stadium will likely be, Kevin Warren, the group’s President and CEO, stated in an open letter that the group wants to judge alternatives along with Arlington Park, together with northwest Indiana.
“The stakes for Illinois are vital: 1000’s of union jobs, year-round sights and international occasions made attainable by a set roof stadium that would supply long-term income for the State,” Warren stated. “For a challenge of this scale, uncertainty has vital penalties.”
