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Bettendorf Today
By the People, for the People
Iowa Legislators Propose Bill to Lure Chicago Bears
Lawmakers aim to expand economic development funds to attract NFL team to the state.
Published on Feb. 11, 2026
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A group of Iowa state senators have introduced a proposal to expand economic development funds with the goal of luring the Chicago Bears NFL franchise to the state. The bill's sponsor, Republican Kerry Gruenhagen, said Iowa is ready to "appreciate" and "welcome" the Bears with "open arms" as the team explores options for a new stadium.
Why it matters
The Bears have played at Soldier Field in Chicago since 1971, but have been courted by other cities like Arlington Heights and Gary, Indiana that have promised to build them a new stadium. Luring an NFL team would be a major economic development coup for Iowa, though the state's population is much smaller than the Quad Cities area where the Bears are currently based.
The details
The bill was introduced in the Iowa Senate on Tuesday and is co-sponsored by Republican senators Scott Webster of Bettendorf and Dawn Driscoll of Williamsburg. Gruenhagen said in a news release that the legislation signals Iowa is "happy to be that home" for the Bears as they search for a new stadium location.
- The bill was introduced in the Iowa Senate on Tuesday, February 11, 2026.
The players
Kerry Gruenhagen
A Republican state senator from Walcott, Iowa who introduced the legislation to lure the Chicago Bears to the state.
Scott Webster
A Republican state senator from Bettendorf, Iowa who co-sponsored the bill to attract the Chicago Bears.
Dawn Driscoll
A Republican state senator from Williamsburg, Iowa who co-sponsored the bill to attract the Chicago Bears.
Chicago Bears
The NFL franchise that has played at Soldier Field in Chicago since 1971, but is now exploring options for a new stadium location.
What they’re saying
“The Chicago Bears are looking for a state that will appreciate them and welcome them with open arms, and we are filing a bill today that says Iowa is happy to be that home.”
— Kerry Gruenhagen, State Senator (KCRG TV)
What’s next
The Iowa Senate will now consider the bill and decide whether to move forward with expanding economic development funds to try to attract the Chicago Bears to the state.
The takeaway
This proposal highlights the intense competition between states and cities to lure professional sports franchises, with the promise of economic benefits driving lawmakers to offer lucrative incentive packages. However, the viability of moving the Bears to Iowa, given the team's long history in Chicago and the much smaller population base, remains to be seen.
