Chicago Leaders Work to Prevent Bears from Moving to Indiana

Sources say the Bears are expected to announce a decision on their new stadium location in the coming weeks.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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Chicago leaders, including state representatives and the mayor, are working hard to keep the Chicago Bears from moving their new stadium to Indiana. The Bears currently own the former Arlington Park Racetrack site in Arlington Heights, Illinois, but have also brought northwest Indiana, including a proposed site near Wolf Lake, into consideration. Indiana lawmakers are moving quickly to try to lure the Bears, but Illinois officials say they are close to a deal that would have the state pay for infrastructure around the stadium while the Bears cover the stadium costs.

Why it matters

The potential move of the Bears to Indiana would be a major blow to the city of Chicago, which has hosted the team since its founding in 1920. The loss of the Bears would have significant economic and cultural impacts on the city, as the team is a beloved institution and major draw for tourism and revenue.

The details

The Bears have released drawings of a proposed new stadium at the former Arlington Park Racetrack site in Arlington Heights, Illinois. However, they have also been in talks with Indiana about a potential site near Wolf Lake. Indiana lawmakers have introduced legislation to provide financial incentives to lure the Bears, while Illinois officials say they are close to a deal that would have the state pay for infrastructure around the stadium while the Bears cover the stadium costs.

  • In early December 2022, a group of legislative leaders and Bears representatives began meeting several times a week to discuss a potential deal to keep the team in Illinois.
  • Indiana lawmakers are moving quickly to try to lure the Bears, with a bill in place and structured to address economic and financial considerations before the end of their spring session in less than three weeks.

The players

Brandon Johnson

The mayor of Chicago, who says the city is not giving up on keeping the Bears in the city.

Kam Buckner

An Illinois state representative who has been involved in the discussions to keep the Bears in Illinois.

Mark Walker

An Illinois state senator from Arlington Heights who says the governor's office has been working on a deal for weeks and believes they are very close to an agreement.

Earl Harris

An Indiana state representative who represents the state's 2nd District and says Indiana is serious about luring the Bears.

Chicago Bears

The professional football team that currently plays in Chicago and is considering moving their new stadium to either Arlington Heights, Illinois or Indiana.

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What they’re saying

“To your point about those two locations, Hammond, Arlington Heights, they ain't Chicago. They're not.”

— Brandon Johnson, Mayor of Chicago (abc7chicago.com)

“I think we are in a position now, where if we can do all the work, I believe we land in a place that works for everybody. I am confident that can happen.”

— Kam Buckner, Illinois State Representative (abc7chicago.com)

“People in the governor's office had been working on it for weeks. I think they're very close. They're working in the best interest of the Bears and the state.”

— Mark Walker, Illinois State Senator (abc7chicago.com)

“That again for me shows how serious we are in Indiana, that we have a bill in place and structured about making sure those economic and financial things are taken care of.”

— Earl Harris, Indiana State Representative (abc7chicago.com)

What’s next

The Bears are expected to announce a decision on their new stadium location in the next few weeks.

The takeaway

The potential move of the Chicago Bears to Indiana has sparked a high-stakes competition between Illinois and Indiana to keep the beloved football team in the Chicago area. The outcome of these negotiations could have significant economic and cultural impacts on the region.