Could the Bears leave Chicago? What to know about stadium situation

The Hammond Bears? The Indiana Bears?

The (current) Chicago Bears franchise has been embroiled in a staredown with the state of Illinois regarding funding surrounding a stadium to replace Soldier Field, which was opened in 1924.

Despite multiple renovations over the years, the organization is looking for a new home. While the Bears have said they are committing $2 billion towards the stadium, there’s other infrastructure funding at play involved.

In December, ESPN reported that the Bears were seeking tax breaks and $855 million in Illinois public funds to help build a new stadium in Arlington Heights, a suburb of Chicago located 32 miles from Soldier Field. Illinois lawmakers balked at the Bears’ requests.

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In response, Bears team president Kevin Warren wrote in an open letter to fans that the franchise would expand its search for a new stadium site to include Northwest Indiana.

On Feb. 19, Indiana governor Mike Braun and the Bears both released statements about Indiana Senate Bill 27, which could set up the framework for a Bears move to a new stadium site in Hammond, Indiana.

Here’s what to know:

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Are the Bears leaving Chicago?

If the Bears are unable to come to a suitable agreement with Illinois’ state government on state fund allocation and potential tax breaks, it’s a real possibility they leave Chicago and the state of Illinois entirely.

The Chicago-based franchise (for now) made clear its commitment to try to finalize a stadium deal located at the 326-acre property the franchise already owns in Arlington Heights, Illinois. The Chicago suburb is located 32 miles from Soldier Field and the Bears-owned property is the former site of Arlington Park horse-racing track.

But when the Bears requested tax breaks and $855 million in Illinois public funds to help finance the stadium, Illinois lawmakers refused.

In an open letter to fans sent on Dec. 17, Warren wrote: “We have not asked for state taxpayer dollars to build the stadium at Arlington Park. We asked only for a commitment to essential local infrastructure (roads, utilities, and site improvements) which is more than typical for projects of this size. Additionally, we sought reasonable property tax certainty to secure financing. We listened to state leadership and relied on their direction and guidance, yet our efforts have been met with no legislative partnership.

“We have been told directly by State leadership, our project will not be a priority in 2026.”

On Feb. 19, momentum appeared to pick up for a Bears move out of Illinois and into Indiana.

New Bears stadium in Hammond

On Feb. 19, Indiana governor Mike Braun posted on social media site X that Indiana “identified a promising site near Wolf Lake in Hammond,” a city bordering Chicago and the Illinois border. The state government is in the process of finalizing the framework to get a stadium deal done with the Bears via an amendment to Senate Bill 27.

The amended bill proposes to create a Northwest Indiana Stadium Authority, which would be in charge of issuing bonds to finance the construction of the stadium.

Indiana’s state House Ways and Means Committee unanimously passed Senate Bill 27 on Feb. 19. Next, it faces a vote from the entire state House, then a state Senate vote before Gov. Braun can sign it into law.

Moments after Braun’s social media statement, the Bears released their own statement via NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport, declaring Senate Bill 27 “the most meaningful step forward in our stadium planning efforts to date” if it were to pass.

Rapoport also reported on Feb. 19 that Illinois lawmakers canceled a meeting set for Thursday morning in the state House, “where a project bill (involving the Bears) was to be discussed.”

Matt Hill, who is Illinois governor JB Pritzker’s Deputy Chief of Staff, wrote on X, “Illinois was ready to move this bill forward. After a productive three hour meeting yesterday, the Bears leaders requested the ILGA (Illinois General Assembly) pause the hearing to make further tweaks to the bill. This morning, we were surprised to see a statement lauding Indiana and ignoring Illinois.”

Gov. Pritzker has been consistent in his messaging that he wants the Bears to remain in Chicago.

Hill said in a statement in December, “Suggesting the Bears would move to Indiana is a startling slap in the face to all the beloved and loyal fans who have been rallying around the team during this strong season. The Governor’s a Bears fan who has always wanted them to stay in Chicago. He has also said that ultimately they are a private business.”

So while Indiana appears to have the heavy momentum, the ball may still be in Illinois’ court.

Who will pay for new Bears stadium?

Regardless of where the stadium ends up, the Bears have remained committed to providing $2 billion in team funds to build their new stadium throughout the search process.

The bigger question may be who will pay for the infrastructure around the new Bears’ stadium. A big part of the breakdown in negotiations with Illinois’ state government, according to Warren and reporting from ESPN, was state lawmakers balking at providing taxpayer funds for things like roads and utilities.

It is unclear as of now how much of the burden of the new stadium and its infrastructure will fall on the taxpayers of Indiana or Illinois. The answer will likely be determined by which state wins over the Bears more and will become clearer in the months and years ahead as the stadium project progresses.

How far is Hammond, Indiana from Chicago?

Hammond, Indiana is about 25 miles south of Soldier Field. According to Google Maps, it is a 30-minute drive from Soldier Field to Hammond, Indiana with minimum traffic.

When did Soldier Field open?

Soldier Field is the oldest stadium in NFL history. It opened in 1924, and the first football game it hosted was between Louisville Male High School and Austin Community Academy High School that October. Notre Dame beat Northwestern at Soldier Field in the first college football game at the stadium in November 1924.

The Bears moved to Chicago in 1921, and their first game at Soldier Field was at 1926 against the Chicago Cardinals. But the Bears didn’t move into Soldier Field as their home stadium until 1971. Before that, they played their home games at Wrigley Field.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Bears to Indiana? What to know about potential Hammond move, stadium

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