Iowa Lawmakers Make Push to Lure Chicago Bears

State senators see opportunity as Bears search for new stadium location

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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Iowa lawmakers have introduced legislation that would expand an existing development program to include incentives for building an NFL stadium in the state. The move comes as the Chicago Bears continue negotiations with Illinois and Indiana over a potential new home. Iowa senators see an opportunity to get involved as the Bears have yet to officially decide on a new stadium location.

Why it matters

The Bears have played in Illinois since 1920, but the team is now looking to build a new stadium. Iowa lawmakers believe they can offer an attractive package to lure the Bears, which could bring significant economic development to the state. This is part of a broader trend of NFL teams considering relocation and states competing to host them.

The details

The Iowa legislation, Senate File 2252, would allow the state to offer incentives to help finance an NFL stadium. Iowa State Sen. Mike Bousselot, one of the bill's sponsors, said the state is "getting in the game" as Illinois and Indiana have also made pitches to the Bears. Unlike Illinois' proposals, Indiana's plan would authorize a public stadium authority to finance the project, with the Bears paying rent. Iowa does not have a formal proposal yet, but lawmakers are hoping to make a compelling case for the Bears to consider moving.

  • The Iowa legislation has passed out of subcommittee and is expected to continue moving through the legislative process this week.
  • Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker said on Feb. 9 that the state is in "consistent conversation" with the Bears, but won't do anything "bad for the taxpayers."

The players

Chicago Bears

The professional American football team that has played in Illinois since 1920 and is now searching for a location to build a new stadium.

Mike Bousselot

An Iowa state senator who is one of the sponsors of the legislation to offer incentives for an NFL stadium in Iowa.

JB Pritzker

The governor of Illinois, who has said the state is in negotiations with the Bears but won't make a deal that is "bad for the taxpayers."

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What they’re saying

“This gets Iowa in the game.”

— Mike Bousselot, Iowa State Senator (fox32chicago.com)

“Certainly, the Bears prompted it and the state of Illinois prompted it. Governor Pritzker and the state of Illinois have waffled on supporting the Chicago Bears. The state of Indiana took action to get into that conversation. The state of Iowa said, 'Hey, why not us?'”

— Mike Bousselot, Iowa State Senator (fox32chicago.com)

“We're in consistent conversation with the Chicago Bears. The most important point I would make is we're not going to do anything that's bad for the taxpayers.”

— JB Pritzker (fox32chicago.com)

What’s next

The Iowa legislation is expected to continue moving through the legislative process this week, after which the state will have a better idea of what it can offer the Bears. The Bears will then need to decide if they want to hear Iowa's pitch.

The takeaway

The competition between states to land NFL teams highlights the significant economic impact these franchises can have. Iowa sees an opportunity to get involved as the Bears search for a new home, but the team will ultimately decide if the state's proposal is compelling enough to consider moving.