Chicago Mayor, Illinois Governor Pitch Bears Stadium Locations

Pritzker focuses on Arlington Heights and Hammond, while Johnson still hopes to keep Bears in Chicago

Mar. 3, 2026 at 10:53pm

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Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker are both making public pitches for where the Chicago Bears should build their next stadium, even as the NFL franchise continues to explore options outside of Illinois. Johnson says he believes a deal can be reached to keep the Bears in Chicago, while Pritzker has indicated the team is likely choosing between sites in Arlington Heights and Hammond, Indiana.

Why it matters

The future location of the Bears' stadium is a high-stakes decision that will impact the team's long-term future as well as the economic and civic landscape of the Chicago region. Both the city and state are vying to retain the iconic franchise, which would bring significant tax revenue and economic activity.

The details

During a groundbreaking ceremony for the new Chicago Fire soccer stadium, Mayor Johnson reiterated his belief that a deal can be reached to keep the Bears in Chicago, potentially at a renovated Soldier Field. However, Governor Pritzker has signaled that the team is likely choosing between sites in Arlington Heights, where the Bears already own land, and Hammond, Indiana. Pritzker has said the state would consider providing infrastructure funding for whichever location the Bears select.

  • On March 3, 2026, Mayor Johnson and Governor Pritzker made public comments about the Bears' stadium plans.
  • In late February 2026, Indiana lawmakers took steps to create an agency that would build a new stadium for the Bears in Hammond.
  • In 2024, the Bears proposed building a partly taxpayer-funded domed stadium at the Soldier Field site, but there seemed to be little appetite for that plan.

The players

Brandon Johnson

The mayor of Chicago who believes a deal can be reached to keep the Bears in the city, potentially at a renovated Soldier Field.

JB Pritzker

The governor of Illinois who has indicated the Bears are likely choosing between sites in Arlington Heights and Hammond, Indiana, and that the state would consider providing infrastructure funding for whichever location the team selects.

Chicago Bears

The NFL franchise that is exploring options for a new stadium, including potential locations in Illinois and Indiana.

Chicago Fire

The Major League Soccer team that is breaking ground on a new privately funded stadium near Soldier Field.

Chicago Park District

The entity that owns Soldier Field and has submitted a proposal to revamp the stadium, with or without the Bears as a tenant.

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What they’re saying

“There is no better city for sports than the city of Chicago. I will say that it is so good to make sure at least one of our football teams in Chicago is good.”

— Brandon Johnson, Mayor of Chicago

“Keep in mind the circumstances are a little bit different because the stadium in which the Bears were investing in in Chicago, it's a stadium that the city of Chicago owns, so they will be a tenant. But the point being is that we can build stadiums in Chicago that we can create an opportunity that works for all of Chicago.”

— Brandon Johnson, Mayor of Chicago

“They're making a decision between the property that they own already in Arlington Heights, and property that they have looked at in Hammond. It is up to the state to consider whether there is infrastructure that we would provide them, and we clearly have said we would.”

— JB Pritzker, Governor of Illinois

What’s next

The Illinois House is expected to consider any proposals related to Bears stadium funding on March 18, 2026.

The takeaway

The battle over the Bears' future home highlights the high stakes involved, as both the city of Chicago and the state of Illinois vie to retain the iconic NFL franchise. While the team's ultimate decision remains uncertain, the public pitches from Mayor Johnson and Governor Pritzker underscore the importance of this decision for the region's sports landscape and economic future.