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Arlington Heights Today
By the People, for the People
Arlington Heights Mayor Warns Bears Will Move to Indiana Without Deal by March
Illinois legislature to debate tax breaks and incentives this week to keep the NFL team.
Mar. 14, 2026 at 1:54pm
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Arlington Heights Mayor Jim Tinaglia believes the Chicago Bears will strike a deal with Indiana to move the team there if Illinois does not act decisively by the end of March to keep the Bears in the state. The Illinois legislature will debate this week on potential tax breaks and incentives to try to convince the Bears to stay in Illinois and build a new stadium in Arlington Heights.
Why it matters
The potential move of the Bears from their longtime home in Chicago to Indiana would be a major blow to the city and state, both financially and in terms of civic pride. The Bears have played in Chicago since 1921 and are one of the most iconic sports franchises in the region.
The details
Mayor Tinaglia said the Bears 'aren't just kidding around' about the possibility of moving to Indiana, and that the team's flirtation with Indiana has 'been a whole different tone' in getting Illinois to act on providing incentives for a new stadium in Arlington Heights. The Bears currently play at Soldier Field in downtown Chicago, but are looking to build a new suburban stadium.
- The Illinois legislature will debate potential incentives this week.
- Mayor Tinaglia said waiting until the end of May is 'a no-go for the Bears'.
- Indiana finalized a law to help pay for a new stadium there for the Bears.
The players
Jim Tinaglia
The mayor of Arlington Heights, Illinois, who believes the Bears will move to Indiana if a deal is not reached by the end of March.
Chicago Bears
The NFL team that has played in Chicago since 1921 and is considering moving to a new stadium in the suburbs or potentially to Indiana.
What they’re saying
“Waiting until the end of May, I think, is a no-go for the Bears. They've already been through the [wringer] too many times.”
— Jim Tinaglia, Mayor of Arlington Heights (Arlington Heights Daily Herald)
“The Bears aren't just kidding around. Maybe they would consider going to Indiana. Since that happened, it's been a whole different tone.”
— Jim Tinaglia, Mayor of Arlington Heights (Arlington Heights Daily Herald)
What’s next
The Illinois legislature will debate this week on potential tax breaks and other incentives to try to keep the Bears in the state and facilitate construction of a new stadium in Arlington Heights.
The takeaway
The potential move of the iconic Chicago Bears franchise to Indiana highlights the intense competition between states and cities to attract and retain professional sports teams, and the willingness of teams to leverage that competition to secure the best deal for a new stadium.
