What Illinois might do to keep Bears from building new stadium in Indiana

As the 2026 NFL Draft approaches, the Chicago Bears have been focusing on how to improve their roster. However, the team is also in the midst of longwinded search to find their new stadium.

Both Indiana and Illinois are lobbying for the opportunity to host the Bears. Illinois has now come up with a new tax plan to help convince the franchise to stay, via Tahman Bradley, Erik Runge and Michael Johnson of WGN9, h/t Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk.

“Indiana has already passed legislation that would use significant taxpayer money to build the Bears a new stadium, Smith wrote. “The Illinois legislature is now considering a bill of its own that would freeze property tax assessments on the team’s proposed stadium in Arlington Heights, allowing the Bears to pay a lot less than they otherwise would have.”

The Bears already have a site available at Arlington Heights to continue their occupancy in Illinois. However, they have been in a battle with the state’s government based on how much the franchise would be spending compared to taxpayers. For this new legislation to now pass, Soldier Field must also be accounted for once the Bears leave.

“Whether the Illinois legislation passes may depend on whether enough concessions are put into place to get legislators representing Chicago on board,” Smith wrote. “They want assurances that the Bears’ current location, Soldier Field, will get state support to remain a viable venue for other events, even as the Bears leave.”

Governor JB Prtizker is on board with the new tax legislation. The Bears must now see if it passes. If so, their decision to leave Illinois may become trickier. Still, the franchise needs a resolution on their future home sooner rather than later.

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