Bears rumors: Chicago leaving Illinois for Indiana ‘not a done deal’

The Chicago Bears may have taken a significant step toward relocating to Indiana, but the franchise’s future remains unresolved despite Friday’s announcement regarding a proposed stadium development in Hammond.

Shortly after the Bears revealed that their Board of Directors had voted to advance a stadium project in Hammond, ESPN’s Courtney Cronin reported that a move out of Illinois has not yet been finalized.

Cronin shared an update on X, formerly known as Twitter, citing a league source familiar with the situation.

“While I’m being told that the Bears announcement on Hammond is ‘real,’ i.e. not a leverage play, a league source told me that the Bears leaving the state is not a done deal. Per source, Indiana is in the lead right now, but ‘Illinois can still get back in the race,’ granted the state has a lot of ground to make up after not passing legislation that would have insured the Bears property tax certainty.”

The report arrived hours after news surfaced that the Bears’ board had formally voted to move forward with the Hammond development effort. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the vote represented the first time the organization’s board had approved a specific stadium site initiative.

Schefter reported Friday that the Bears’ Board of Directors voted Thursday to advance a stadium development project in Hammond, with the exact site still to be determined.

The Bears later confirmed the vote in an official statement, describing the proposed project as an opportunity to connect Northwest Indiana with Chicago and surrounding communities while creating new economic opportunities for residents and businesses.

Bears continue weighing options despite Indiana’s lead

The latest developments come after a difficult week for the franchise’s efforts to remain in Illinois. Earlier this week, Illinois lawmakers adjourned without approving legislation that would have provided additional certainty regarding property tax treatment for a potential Bears stadium project.

Reporter Brenden Moore first reported that the Illinois House was expected to adjourn without voting on the stadium proposal after it arrived from the Senate. NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport later confirmed that the legislative session ended without final passage of a bill supporting a Bears stadium project in Illinois.

That outcome appeared to strengthen Indiana’s position in the ongoing competition between Hammond and Arlington Heights, the suburban Chicago location long viewed as a leading candidate for a new Bears stadium.

Before Friday’s announcement, the Bears had maintained that they were still evaluating both options and expected to reach a decision during the late spring or early summer.

Cronin’s report suggests that while Indiana currently holds the advantage, Illinois has not been completely eliminated from consideration. However, any effort to regain momentum would likely require state leaders to address concerns that have slowed progress on a potential Illinois-based project.

For now, Hammond appears to be the frontrunner in the Bears’ stadium search. Still, with negotiations, approvals and site selection work remaining, the organization has not officially closed the door on staying in Illinois.

As the Bears prepare for the 2026 season, the franchise’s long-term home remains one of the most closely watched developments across the NFL.

The post Bears rumors: Chicago leaving Illinois for Indiana ‘not a done deal’ appeared first on ClutchPoints.