Story perspectives

Bears Choose Between Illinois Stadium or Indiana Fallback by May 31

5/22/2026

Summary

Bears Choose Stadium

United States – The Chicago Bears said they will decide between a new stadium in Arlington Heights, Illinois, or Hammond, Indiana.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell told owners in Orlando that those two sites are the only viable options the Bears are evaluating.
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker expects property-tax-break legislation for the Arlington Heights project to be finalized before the spring session ends on May 31.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson still pushes a $4.7 billion lakefront stadium plan that would require taxpayers to fund half of a $3.2 billion domed stadium and $1.5 billion in Museum Campus infrastructure.
State Rep. Kam Buckner (D-Chicago) said lawmakers are creating a framework that lets the Bears choose prudently to stay in Illinois.
Indiana Governor Mike Braun signed a funding package for a new stadium, making Indiana the fallback if Illinois misses the May 31 deadline.

Summary

Bears Plan Complex

Bears plan to build a new complex on the 326-acre Arlington Heights tract they already own.
Illinois’ megaproject tax-break law applies only to projects costing at least $100 million, covering the Bears’ complex.
Indiana lawmakers are financing a domed stadium in Hammond, about 25 miles from Soldier Field, where the Bears have never owned a stadium.

Summary

Bears Delay Approval

The Bears have not yet provided the required traffic-impact study, delaying approval of an estimated $850 million infrastructure funding package for the Arlington Heights site.
Environmental concerns have surfaced over the Hammond location, where proximity to a BP oil refinery and a Superfund cleanup site could complicate construction.
Stadium consultant Marc Ganis said the team’s outreach to Chicago focused solely on lease terms for Soldier Field, which may need to be broken to move to either proposed site.
Hammond Mayor Tom McDermott warned that “nostalgia” is influencing the debate and emphasized the need to address practical challenges.
Illinois lawmakers indicated that without the traffic study, the megaproject bill could expire when the legislative session ends on May 31.
The Bears aim to decide on a stadium site by late spring or early summer to keep construction on schedule.

History

Historical Context

On April 9 1965 the Houston Astros inaugurated the Astrodome—America’s first fully enclosed, climate-controlled stadium—before 47,876 spectators including President Lyndon B. Johnson; the pioneering arena introduced theater-style seating and luxury boxes. That model now underpins the Chicago Bears’ proposed domed stadium in Hammond, today debated by Governor Mike Braun and Mayor Tom McDermott.

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Bears Choose Stadium

United States – The Chicago Bears said they will decide between a new stadium in Arlington Heights, Illinois, or Hammond, Indiana.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell told owners in Orlando that those two sites are the only viable options the Bears are evaluating.
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker expects property-tax-break legislation for the Arlington Heights project to be finalized before the spring session ends on May 31.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson still pushes a $4.7 billion lakefront stadium plan that would require taxpayers to fund half of a $3.2 billion domed stadium and $1.5 billion in Museum Campus infrastructure.
State Rep. Kam Buckner (D-Chicago) said lawmakers are creating a framework that lets the Bears choose prudently to stay in Illinois.
Indiana Governor Mike Braun signed a funding package for a new stadium, making Indiana the fallback if Illinois misses the May 31 deadline.

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