Property Tax Concerns Grow Amid Bears Stadium Talks in Illinois

Illinois lawmakers advance 'mega project' bill as Indiana offers incentives to lure the Bears

Published on Feb. 28, 2026

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Illinois taxpayers are concerned about potential property tax hikes due to a proposed 'mega project' bill that would give developers of large projects, like a new Chicago Bears stadium, the ability to make 'payments in lieu of taxes' to local governments. Meanwhile, Indiana is offering financial incentives to try to lure the Bears to build a new stadium in Northwest Indiana.

Why it matters

The future home of the Chicago Bears has become a competition between Illinois and Indiana, with both states offering financial incentives to try to attract the team. This has raised concerns among Illinois residents about the potential for their property taxes to increase to subsidize a new Bears stadium, while some Indiana residents have criticized state lawmakers for focusing on the stadium project instead of providing relief for high utility bills.

The details

Illinois state lawmakers have advanced the 'mega projects' bill, which the Chicago Bears say is necessary to build a new domed stadium in Arlington Heights. The bill would give developers of large projects the ability to save on property taxes by making 'payments in lieu of taxes' to local governments. Meanwhile, Indiana has signed legislation authorizing funding mechanisms for the construction of a new stadium in Hammond that could attract the Bears.

  • On February 28, 2026, the 'mega projects' bill passed the Illinois House Finance Committee by a vote of 13-7.
  • On the same day, Indiana Governor Mike Braun signed legislation authorizing funding for a new stadium in Hammond that could lure the Bears to Indiana.

The players

Kam Buckner

An Illinois state representative, D-26th District, who explained how the 'mega projects' bill would work.

Mike Braun

The governor of Indiana, who signed legislation authorizing funding for a new stadium in Hammond that could attract the Chicago Bears.

Joe Angelastri

A lifelong Chicago Bears fan who owns the City News Café in Portage Park, Illinois, and is concerned about his property tax bills skyrocketing under the 'mega projects' bill.

Dan Ugasted

An Illinois House Republican who was skeptical about the 'mega projects' bill being good for the entire state.

John Cabello

An Illinois House Republican who said the state needs to protect taxpayers, who have been 'getting raked over the coals left and right.'

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What they’re saying

“The board that has to approve this agreement; has to have members of every taxing district on it, school district, park district, etcetera' and they will be represented in a weighted vote based on what their total piece of the tax pie in the area is. We're empowering these folks to be a part of these decisions, to help craft what it looks like because we know that one size does not fit all. What's good for my district may not be good for your district. So we're giving people the local control to figure that out.”

— Kam Buckner, Illinois State Representative, D-26th District (fox32chicago.com)

“We made it clear from the beginning that Indiana is open for business. I'm thrilled to sign Senate Bill 27 to create the framework to build a new world-class stadium in Northwest Indiana. Now let's get this across the goal line.”

— Mike Braun, Governor of Indiana (X)

“It is just upsetting when we see they told about the Bears stadium and things like that within the state of Indiana, when we're all wondering how are we going to pay our next NIPSCO bill.”

— Terri Logan, NIPSCO customer, Hamlet, Indiana (fox32chicago.com)

“I think it's the same story a lot of times, it's the little guys that pay, it's little guys who suffer.”

— Christine Shabai, NIPSCO customer, Chesterton, Indiana (fox32chicago.com)

“Little stores like us are paying 5%, and they're (Chicago Bears) not going to pay not even a fraction of 1%, doesn't make sense. We're all supposed to pay our same share, that's how property taxes work. It's supposed to be even across the board, but it doesn't seem to be that way.”

— Joe Angelastri, Owner, City News Café, Portage Park, Illinois (fox32chicago.com)

What’s next

Illinois lawmakers are on recess until the middle of March, when the 'mega projects' bill could be heard for a full house vote.

The takeaway

The competition between Illinois and Indiana to lure the Chicago Bears has raised concerns among residents in both states about the potential impact on their personal finances. In Illinois, there are worries about property tax hikes to subsidize a new stadium, while in Indiana, some residents feel lawmakers are prioritizing the stadium project over providing relief for high utility bills.