The Chicago Bears are set to face a multitude of tantalizing questions about the team’s future following their 2025 breakout season. However, while most of those will pertain to roster moves, the most important question is whether the team will even remain in Chicago.
In September, the Bears announced they were seeking $855 million in public funding to help build the infrastructure for a new stadium in the suburbs of Illinois. The Associated Press then broke down in December how the organization was “mulling a move to Northwest Indiana with their efforts to secure public funding they say they need to build an enclosed stadium in Illinois stalled.”
This announcement was met with understandable outrage from fans. Team president Kevin Warren released an open letter to address their concerns. The letter states that he and the organization would prefer to stay in Chicago and that, ideally, Arlington Heights, Illinois, is the best option. He also insisted that the franchise is not leveraging a move across state lines as a threat.
“The Bears have called Chicago home for more than a century,” Warren said. “One certainty is that our commitment to this city will not change. We will continue to provide unwavering support to the community. We need to secure a world-class venue for our passionate fanbase and honor the energy you bring every week.”
While the team and fans have expressed optimism about their chances to remain, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker just provided major updates on the state of a new deal.
Illinois Lawmakers and Chicago Bears Getting Closer On Stadium Deal
On February 9, it was announced that there had been positive progress towards keeping the team in Chicago.
Paris Schutz of Fox 32 Chicago provided a brief synopsis of the updates. “Illinois lawmakers and the Chicago Bears are close to a deal on public infrastructure funding and property tax legislation tied to a proposed Arlington Heights stadium, with the team pledging to cover construction costs.”
This deal would hinge on the “PILOT” legislation passing, which would allow the team to negotiate property tax levels with the village.
“Bears President and CEO Kevin Warren has said the team can’t move forward without the “property tax certainty” that the PILOT legislation would provide. Warren has vowed that the team will pay for all costs of actually building the stadium structure.”
This is important because Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker has been openly against taxpayers building a stadium directly.
Pritzker has reportedly been “optimistic” about the progress of the deal in recent and ongoing discussions with the team.
“The most important point I would make is we’re not going to do anything that’s bad for the taxpayers,” Pritzker said. “We are helping businesses build infrastructure…and other things that are available to any business that’s growing or building something new in the state of Illinois that’s putting people to work. Those are normal incentives, and that’s what I’d expect we’ll end up with for the Bears.”
While things are trending in a positive direction for Chicago, Indiana isn’t giving up without a fight.
Indiana Attempting to Lure The Bears Away From Chicago
Schutz continued to elaborate on the current state of the Bears’ future from both sides. Despite Chicago’s advancements, Indiana has continued to make their case.
“Indiana lawmakers have moved the ball forward significantly on a legislative package meant to lure the team across state lines,” Schutz writes.
“Their proposal differs significantly in that it would authorize a public stadium authority to finance all or part of the stadium, with the Bears paying rent. The bill passed the Indiana Senate and has support from House leaders and Indiana Republican Governor Mike Braun. Sources close to the Chicago Bears say the only site they are considering in the Hoosier State is near Wolf Lake in Hammond, right across the Chicago border.”
NBC Sports writer Michael David Smith expressed that, despite Indiana’s efforts to lure the Bears stadium build away from Chicago, it still seems likely they will stay on course to land in Illinois.
Bears Receive Major Updates On New Stadium Amid Potential State Move