The Chicago Bears have reaffirmed their commitment to a late spring or early summer timeline for selecting a new stadium site, despite uncertainty over proposed incentives from the Illinois state legislature. The Illinois Senate passed a bill early Monday that would have allowed Arlington Heights and Chicago to create local stadium authorities, potentially exempting the Bears from property taxes on a new stadium in the state. However, the House adjourned without voting on the measure on the final day of the spring legislative session.
The Bears stated they are finalising evaluations of potential sites in Arlington Heights, Illinois, and Hammond, Indiana, and will provide an update when a decision is reached. The team's announcement follows a protracted stadium process that began in September 2021 with a purchase agreement for 326 acres in Arlington Heights, a deal finalised in 2023 for $197 million.
In September 2022, the Bears unveiled a nearly $5 billion plan for an enclosed stadium in Arlington Heights, designed to host major events like Super Bowls and Final Fours, alongside a year-round entertainment district. However, after Kevin Warren became team president in January 2023, the focus shifted to building a new stadium next to Soldier Field in Chicago, a plan announced in April 2024 that received support from Mayor Brandon Johnson but a lukewarm response from Governor JB Pritzker and state legislators.
The team pivoted back to Arlington Heights in May 2025, citing progress with local leaders. Meanwhile, Indiana Governor Mike Braun and state lawmakers have expressed interest, with a House committee passing a bill in February to establish a Northwest Indiana Stadium Authority. The Bears confirmed on May 21 that Hammond and Arlington Heights are the only sites under consideration, though some Illinois lawmakers continue to advocate for a Chicago option.
The Bears have played in Illinois since their founding in 1920, moving to Chicago in 1921. They have never owned a stadium, having played at Wrigley Field from 1921 to 1970 and Soldier Field since.
