Indiana Makes Play for Chicago Bears, Raising Tensions Between Midwest States

Illinois proposes tax incentives to keep historic NFL franchise from moving across state border

Mar. 14, 2026 at 7:53am

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A turf war is brewing between Illinois and Indiana over the future home of the Chicago Bears, one of the NFL's founding franchises. Indiana lawmakers are attempting to lure the Bears to a new domed stadium in Hammond, about 25 miles from their current home at Soldier Field in Chicago. In response, the Illinois General Assembly has proposed legislation offering tax breaks for a potential $5 billion Bears development in the Chicago suburb of Arlington Heights. The high-stakes battle pits the states' long-standing rivalry against the Bears' desire for a modern, revenue-generating stadium they can control.

Why it matters

Losing the iconic Bears franchise would be a major blow to Illinois' identity and pride, as the team has called Chicago home for over a century. The financial stakes are also high, with the Bears valued at $8.9 billion and the potential for lucrative events like the Super Bowl at a new domed stadium. The outcome could reshape the regional power dynamics between the two Midwest states.

The details

The Bears have long wanted to leave aging Soldier Field, the NFL's smallest stadium, and build a new enclosed facility that would allow them to control revenue streams. In 2023, the team purchased land in Arlington Heights, about 25 miles from downtown Chicago, for a proposed $5 billion development including a domed stadium. When that plan gained little traction in Illinois, the Bears turned to Indiana, where lawmakers have created a Northwest Indiana Stadium Authority to finance and construct a new stadium near Hammond.

  • In 2023, the Bears purchased 326 acres in Arlington Heights, Illinois for a potential new stadium development.
  • In 2024, the Bears proposed a $5 billion plan, partially taxpayer-funded, to build a new enclosed stadium next to Soldier Field, which was met with little interest from Illinois lawmakers.
  • In late 2025, the Bears shifted their focus to Indiana, where lawmakers have passed legislation to create a stadium authority and finance a new domed stadium near Hammond.

The players

Chicago Bears

One of the NFL's founding franchises, the Chicago Bears are one of the league's most iconic and valuable teams, with a $8.9 billion price tag and a storied history including 9 championships.

Illinois General Assembly

The state legislature of Illinois has proposed legislation offering tax incentives for a potential $5 billion Bears development in Arlington Heights, in an effort to keep the team from moving across the border to Indiana.

Indiana Legislature

Indiana lawmakers have passed legislation to create the Northwest Indiana Stadium Authority, which would finance and construct a new domed stadium near Hammond to lure the Chicago Bears from Illinois.

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What they’re saying

“Like hell they will.”

— Richard J. Daley, Former Mayor of Chicago

What’s next

The Illinois legislation offering tax incentives for a Bears development in Arlington Heights must still be approved, while Indiana's stadium authority plan has been signed into law. The two states will continue to compete to host the iconic NFL franchise.

The takeaway

The battle over the Chicago Bears' future home underscores the longstanding rivalry between Illinois and Indiana, as well as the high stakes involved in retaining or luring a major professional sports franchise. The outcome could have significant implications for the regional balance of power and economic development in the Midwest.