Chicago Bears Close to Signing Deal to Remain in Illinois After Considering Move to Indiana
Over a century worth of history and memories are tied to this franchise, state and city. Therefore, a move didn’t really make a whole lot of sense. Now, this iconic team seems to be staying put. The Chicago Bears are close to signing a deal to remain in Illinois after considering a move to Indiana.
So then, what has caused the “change of heart?” And who may have helped to sway things? Well, for one thing the timing for decision making is ripening.
The voting in the Illinois legislature could come as soon as November. Which could pass what’s necessary in order to clear the path for the new stadium that will “most likely” be built in Arlington Heights. Furthermore, progress was fueled by the involvement of Bears minority owner Pat Ryan and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, with Kevin Warren taking a backseat.
According to Mike Florio of NBC Sports, Chicago can now “drop the act.” Florio reveals,
“After months of claiming that they’re solely focused on building a new stadium in Indiana, the bluff has worked. Via Greg Hinz of “Crain’s Chicago Business,” the Bears are “close to a deal that would keep them in Illinois.”
A vote in the Illinois legislature could come as soon as November. The new venue would “most likely” be built in Arlington Heights, not Chicago. But Illinois is still Illinois. And it’s not Indiana.
The new law would allow any municipality (including Chicago) to form an authority that would own and operate the stadium, with no property taxes being paid. Taxpayers would be responsible only for new roads and other infrastructure.
It’s still not done, but it’s the biggest indication yet that the Bears won’t be leaving Illinois. Even after repeatedly saying they would.”
Chicago Bears Close to Signing Deal to Remain in Illinois After Considering Move to Indiana
Team officials initially announced in September 2021 a $197 million deal with Churchill Downs Inc. to purchase 326 acres of land in Arlington Heights. They unveiled a $5 billion plan for the site. Which was previously the location of the Arlington Park horse track since 1927, in September 2022. Two years later, after Warren took over as team president, the Bears shifted their focus to building a new stadium next to their current home, Soldier Field, in Chicago’s Museum Campus downtown.
The Bears returned to the Arlington Heights plan in May 2025, but started to look at options in northwest Indiana while trying to secure tax incentives for the Arlington Heights site.
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