Illinois Governor Disappointed as Chicago Bears Pursue Indiana Stadium

Pritzker says progress was made on an Arlington Heights plan, but Bears did not mention it in their announcement.

Published on Mar. 1, 2026

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Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker has expressed disappointment after the Chicago Bears announced they are moving forward with a stadium proposal in Indiana. Pritzker said the state had made progress on a plan to build a new stadium in Arlington Heights, but the Bears did not mention this in their announcement, which Pritzker called "disappointing."

Why it matters

The potential move of the Chicago Bears to Indiana would be a significant loss for Illinois, as the team's presence brings substantial tourism revenue to the state. Governor Pritzker is trying to keep the team in Illinois, but the Bears seem determined to pursue the Indiana option.

The details

The Bears referred to the Indiana proposal as "the most meaningful step forward" in their stadium plans. However, Pritzker said progress had been made on a plan to build a new stadium in Arlington Heights, and he was "very disappointed" the Bears did not mention this in their announcement.

  • On February 20, 2026, the Chicago Bears announced they are moving forward with a stadium proposal in Indiana.
  • Prior to the announcement, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker said progress had been made on a plan to build a new stadium for the Bears in Arlington Heights.

The players

J.B. Pritzker

The Governor of Illinois who expressed disappointment over the Chicago Bears' pursuit of a stadium in Indiana.

Chicago Bears

The NFL team that is considering moving its home stadium from Soldier Field in Chicago to a proposed site in Indiana.

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What they’re saying

“To hear they would release that statement without mentioning advances made in Illinois is disappointing.”

— J.B. Pritzker, Governor of Illinois (97zokonline.com)

What’s next

The next step will be for the Bears to continue negotiations with Indiana officials on the proposed stadium deal. Illinois officials may also make additional efforts to keep the team in the state.

The takeaway

This situation highlights the high-stakes competition between states to attract and retain major sports franchises, which can have significant economic implications. The outcome will depend on which location can offer the Bears the best overall package.