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Lake Forest Today
By the People, for the People
Chicago Bears Confirm Halas Hall Will Remain in Lake Forest
Team says practice facility and headquarters will stay put despite stadium relocation discussions
Published on Mar. 2, 2026
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The Chicago Bears have reaffirmed that their practice facility and corporate headquarters, known as Halas Hall, will remain located in Lake Forest, Illinois, even as the team explores options for a new stadium in other locations such as Northwest Indiana and Arlington Heights.
Why it matters
The Bears' commitment to keeping Halas Hall in Lake Forest provides stability and continuity for the team's operations, despite the uncertainty around where their future stadium will be built. This decision underscores the franchise's long-standing ties to the Lake Forest community.
The details
After Hammond, Indiana mayor Thomas McDermott suggested the Bears' Northwest Indiana stadium proposal included a practice facility, the team quickly clarified that Halas Hall will stay in Lake Forest. The Bears have operated at the Halas Hall complex in Lake Forest since 1997, after previously being based on the campus of Lake Forest College starting in 1979. The current 38-acre Halas Hall facility has been expanded twice and serves as the team's summer training camp site.
- The Bears have maintained a presence in Lake Forest since 1975.
- Halas Hall opened in its current location in 1997.
- The Bears began holding summer training camp at Halas Hall in 2020, with practices open to the public starting in 2021.
The players
Chicago Bears
A professional American football team and member of the National Football League (NFL).
Thomas McDermott
The mayor of Hammond, Indiana, who suggested the Bears' Northwest Indiana stadium proposal included a practice facility.
Jason Wicha
The city manager of Lake Forest, Illinois, who issued a statement affirming the city is not involved in the Bears' stadium discussions and there is no indication the team is considering leaving Lake Forest.
What they’re saying
“That's absolutely correct. They are talking about everything.”
— Thomas McDermott, Mayor of Hammond, Indiana (Chicago Tribune)
“The City is not involved in any of the ongoing discussions and there is no indication that the Bears are giving any consideration to leaving the City of Lake Forest.”
— Jason Wicha, City Manager of Lake Forest, Illinois (Chicago Tribune)
What’s next
The Bears continue to explore options for a new stadium location, with Northwest Indiana and Arlington Heights remaining under consideration, but the team has made it clear that Halas Hall will stay in Lake Forest regardless of where the new stadium is built.
The takeaway
The Bears' commitment to keeping their practice facility and headquarters in Lake Forest, where the team has been based for nearly 50 years, demonstrates the franchise's strong ties to the local community and desire to maintain continuity in their operations, even as they consider relocating their stadium to a new location.
