Indiana Aims to Lure Chicago Bears from Illinois

Illinois lawmakers respond with tax incentives to keep the historic NFL franchise in the state

Mar. 14, 2026 at 11:42am

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The storied Chicago Bears are considering leaving their longtime home at Soldier Field in Chicago, with Indiana lawmakers offering to build a new domed stadium for the team in Hammond, Indiana. In response, the Illinois General Assembly has proposed legislation that would provide tax breaks to the Bears if they choose to build a new complex in the Chicago suburb of Arlington Heights.

Why it matters

The potential move of the Bears, one of the NFL's founding franchises, would be a major blow to Illinois and Chicago, where the team has been based for over a century. The battle for the Bears highlights the ongoing rivalry and political tensions between the two Midwestern states.

The details

Indiana has created the Northwest Indiana Stadium Authority to finance and construct a domed stadium near Wolf Lake in Hammond, about 25 miles from Chicago, to lure the Bears with a 35-year lease agreement. In response, Illinois has proposed legislation that would provide property tax freezes and sales tax exemptions for the Bears' proposed $5 billion development in Arlington Heights, which would include a domed stadium.

  • The Bears paid $200 million in 2023 for a 326-acre former horse-racing track in Arlington Heights.
  • In 2024, the Bears offered a $5 billion plan, partially taxpayer-funded, for an enclosed stadium next to Soldier Field, which garnered little interest.
  • Late in 2025, the Bears turned to Indiana's offer.
  • Indiana Gov. Mike Braun signed the legislation creating the Northwest Indiana Stadium Authority on February 26, 2026.
  • The Illinois General Assembly has recently advanced legislation to provide tax incentives for the Bears' proposed Arlington Heights development.

The players

Chicago Bears

One of the NFL's founding franchises, the Chicago Bears have called Soldier Field in Chicago home for over 50 years.

Indiana

The state of Indiana is making a play to lure the Chicago Bears away from Illinois by offering to finance and build a new domed stadium for the team in Hammond, Indiana.

Illinois General Assembly

The Illinois state legislature has responded to Indiana's offer by proposing legislation that would provide tax breaks to the Bears if they choose to build a new complex in the Chicago suburb of Arlington Heights.

JB Pritzker

The Democratic governor of Illinois, who supports the state's plan to offer tax incentives to keep the Bears in Illinois.

Mike Braun

The Republican governor of Indiana, who signed the legislation creating the Northwest Indiana Stadium Authority to finance a new stadium for the Bears.

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What they’re saying

“Like hell they will.”

— Richard J. Daley, Former Mayor of Chicago

“The proposal would encourage development on land that isn't producing property taxes while ensuring increased revenue for local governments.”

— JB Pritzker, Governor of Illinois

What’s next

The Illinois General Assembly is expected to continue debating the proposed tax incentive legislation, while the Bears will likely weigh both Illinois and Indiana's offers in the coming months.

The takeaway

The battle over the Chicago Bears highlights the ongoing rivalry and political tensions between Illinois and Indiana, as well as the challenges cities and states face in retaining iconic sports franchises in the face of lucrative offers from competing locations.