Illinois House delays vote on property tax bill for Chicago Bears stadium

The legislation won't move for at least 2 weeks as the House adjourns for a break.

Mar. 27, 2026 at 3:41pm

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The Illinois House will not vote on a property tax bill that would help the Chicago Bears build a new stadium in Arlington Heights until at least April 7, as the legislature is set to adjourn on Friday for a two-week recess. The bill, which would allow the Bears or any developer of a "mega project" worth over $500 million to negotiate property taxes directly with local governments for up to 40 years, has been debated by lawmakers but has not yet received a full floor vote.

Why it matters

The Bears have made clear their intention to build a new stadium in Arlington Heights, but the team and state lawmakers have been at odds over the use of public funds and tax breaks to finance the project. The delay in the property tax bill vote adds uncertainty to the Bears' stadium plans and could open the door for other cities, like those in neighboring Indiana, to make a play for the team.

The details

The property tax bill moved out of an Illinois House committee in February but has not yet received a full floor vote. Top House Democratic negotiator State Rep. Kam Buckner confirmed to CBS News Chicago that the bill won't move before the House adjourns on Friday for a two-week recess. They are set to return to session on April 7. The measure would allow the Bears or any developer of a "mega project" worth over $500 million to negotiate property taxes directly with local governments for up to 40 years.

  • The Illinois House is set to adjourn on Friday, March 27, 2026.
  • The Illinois House is set to return to session on April 7, 2026.

The players

Chicago Bears

The NFL team that is seeking to build a new stadium in Arlington Heights, Illinois.

Kam Buckner

A top House Democratic negotiator in Illinois.

JB Pritzker

The Governor of Illinois who has been vocal about not providing the Bears with public funds and tax breaks to fund the stadium.

Jim Tinaglia

The Mayor of Arlington Heights who has called on Illinois lawmakers to act quickly to keep the Bears from moving to Indiana.

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What they’re saying

“The pressure is on to try and wrap it up with capital ASAP. I can promise you that no one at Halas Hall wants to wait till the end of May for this to be solved.”

— Jim Tinaglia, Mayor of Arlington Heights

“The Bears really do need to step up and be public about what it is that they really want. I think the Bears need to make their intentions known. Those intentions could be that they want to continue to talk to both states, but I think they need to clarify that.”

— JB Pritzker, Governor of Illinois

What’s next

The Illinois House is set to return to session on April 7, 2026, at which point they are expected to take up the property tax bill that could help the Bears build a new stadium in Arlington Heights.

The takeaway

The delay in the Illinois legislature's consideration of the property tax bill adds uncertainty to the Bears' stadium plans and could open the door for other cities, like those in neighboring Indiana, to make a play for the team. The Bears and state lawmakers will need to work quickly to find a resolution that keeps the team in Illinois.