Full Breakdown
Chicago Bears Close Door on City Stadium, Focus on Arlington Heights, Illinois and Hammond, Indiana
5/22/2026, 10:53:38 PM
Background & Context
The Chicago Bears, a charter NFL franchise founded in 1920 and based in Chicago since 1921, have long played at publicly owned venues—first Wrigley Field (1921-1970) and then Soldier Field (1971-present). Over the past decade the team has explored options to replace Soldier Field with a modern, privately financed stadium. In 2023 the Bears purchased the former Arlington Park racetrack, a 326-acre parcel in Arlington Heights, Illinois, positioning it as a primary candidate. Simultaneously, Indiana lawmakers have offered a financing package for a domed stadium in Hammond, about 25 miles from the current site.
Key Figures & Groups
- Chicago Bears – President Kevin Warren.
- NFL – Commissioner Roger Goodell, who oversees league-wide stadium approvals.
- Illinois – Governor JB Pritzker; state legislators Rep. Kam Buckner and Sen. Bill Cunningham, drafting a “megaprojects” bill to provide tax incentives for the Arlington Heights proposal.
- Chicago – Mayor Brandon Johnson, advocating for a lakefront stadium.
- Indiana – Governor Mike Braun and Hammond Mayor Tom McDermott, promoting the Indiana site.
Timeline
- 2023 – Bears acquire Arlington Park land.
- April 2024 – Bears hold confidential counsel-to-counsel talks with Chicago about Soldier Field lease; later discuss a hypothetical lakefront return.
- May 2024 – Bears issue a statement declaring Chicago “not a viable option.”
- Early May 2024 – NFL owners meet in Orlando; Goodell confirms two viable sites.
- May 31, 2024 – Deadline for Illinois legislature to pass the megaprojects bill.
Official Statements & Responses
The Bears released a statement asserting that “there is not a viable site in the city” and that only Arlington Heights and Hammond remain under consideration. Governor Pritzker criticized Mayor Johnson for lacking a concrete plan and emphasized the state’s effort to finalize a tax-break package before the May 31 deadline. Mayor Johnson reiterated his belief that Chicago remains the “best location” and expressed continued hope for a lakefront solution. Goodell, speaking to owners, noted that the Bears’ two sites are “viable in the Bears’ mind and others, in ours.” Rep. Buckner framed the legislative role as providing a framework for the Bears to decide, not selecting a site.
Criticism & Opposition
Chicago legislators, led by Sen. Cunningham, have slowed progress on the Arlington Heights bill, citing recent Bears outreach to the city as evidence that a lakefront option remains plausible. Cunningham warned that the mayor’s renewed push could “breathe new life into” opposition, potentially jeopardizing the bill’s passage. Hammond Mayor McDermott highlighted Indiana’s readiness, while Arlington Heights Mayor Jim Tinaglia warned that environmental concerns near a refinery and Superfund site could pose challenges.
Data & Statistics
- The proposed Arlington Heights stadium would be financed partly by a state “megaprojects” tax-break package targeting projects of $100 million or more.
- Infrastructure costs for the Arlington Heights site are estimated at $850 million, pending a traffic-impact study.
- A lakefront stadium concept floated by the city would cost roughly $4.7 billion, with the Bears pledging over $2 billion in private equity (?70 % of construction costs).
- The Indiana package includes state financing and a law signed by Gov. Braun to support stadium construction.
Why It Matters / Impact
The decision will affect Chicago’s tax base, tourism, and the city’s identity as home to the NFL’s oldest franchise. A move to Arlington Heights would keep the team in Illinois but shift economic activity to the suburbs; a relocation to Hammond would give Indiana a marquee NFL venue and potentially reshape regional sports markets. The outcome also tests the effectiveness of state-level economic incentives in retaining professional sports teams.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the feasibility of a lakefront stadium: ESPN and league insiders deem proposed sites “not feasible,” while Mayor Johnson and his allies claim the option remains viable. Additionally, the Bears have not released a traffic-impact study for Arlington Heights, a prerequisite for the $850 million infrastructure funding, leaving a critical data gap.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The Chicago Bears have exhausted every opportunity to stay in Chicago, which was our initial goal. There is not a viable site in the city. As a result, the only sites under consideration are in Arlington Heights and Hammond.” — Chicago Bears, Official Statement
- “Both of the sites are excellent sites,” — Kevin Warren, Bears President
- “There was a specific update on the Bears with respect to the two sites that they are evaluating that are viable in the Bears’ mind and others, in ours.” — Roger Goodell, NFL Commissioner
- “We are three years in now, and he still has no plan.” — JB Pritzker, Governor of Illinois
- “My hope has never been lost," Johnson said.” — Brandon Johnson, Mayor of Chicago
- “One of the problems that we’ve run into is that some of the outreach the Bears have done to the city of Chicago as late as four weeks ago has breathed new life into the mayor’s opposition to the bill,” — Bill Cunningham, Illinois State Senator
What’s Next
Illinois lawmakers must act before the May 31 deadline to pass the megaprojects bill; failure could leave the Hammond proposal as the only viable alternative. The Bears have indicated they aim to decide on a site by late spring or early summer, after which design and financing plans for the chosen location would move forward. NFL Commissioner Goodell has urged a swift resolution, emphasizing the league’s need for a stable home venue for the franchise.
