US EditionChicago Bears exploring possible new stadium sites in NW Indiana, team says
The Bears are seeking public funding and infrastructure support amid stalled Illinois talks and estimate the stadium could create 42,000 jobs, team officials said.
- In a letter sent Wednesday, Kevin Warren said the Chicago Bears will explore locations beyond Cook County, including Northwest Indiana, while still favoring Arlington Heights, Illinois.
- Facing a legislative impasse, negotiations stalled over infrastructure commitments, property tax certainty and legislative partnership, with Illinois state leadership telling the team the project "will not be a priority in 2026."
- The Arlington Park plan involved a $5 billion mixed-use development and private investment of over $2 billion, after the Bears bought the 326-acre site for $197 million in 2023.
- That stance raises the possibility of moving the team outside Illinois, which would be contentious given the Indiana border is approximately 15 miles from Soldier Field and Northwest Indiana is a possible landing spot.
- Facing a missed legislative window, the Illinois General Assembly closed its fall veto session without taking up the Bears' megadevelopment legislation despite the $25 million offer, undercutting the Dec. 31 ground-breaking goal.
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95 Articles
Bears consider move to Indiana with effort to secure public funding for stadium in Illinois stalled
The Chicago Bears say they're 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.
Bears expanding stadium search past Chicago — and into Indiana
Kevin Warren, the president and CEO of the Bears, penned an open letter to the team's fans on Wednesday, saying the franchise is going to look outside of Arlington Heights in Cook County (Illinois) to potentially build a new stadium to replace Soldier Field. And that means they'll expand their search to out-of-state locations, including neighboring Indiana.
Bears expanding stadium search from Arlington Heights to wider Chicago area, NW Indiana
The Chicago Bears team president said in an open letter that a new expanded stadium site search including Northwest Indiana is due to what he calls a lack of cooperation from Illinois lawmakers.
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