Indiana lawmakers advanced a key stadium bill this week, putting real pressure on Illinois. Now the next steps could determine where the Chicago Bears build their new home.
For a long time now, the Chicago Bears stadium saga has felt like political theater. It’s been difficult to parse what’s real, what’s leverage, and what’s nothing more than a pipe dream.
The Bears have been negotiating with the state of Illinois for years about building a new stadium — something that feels both essential and inevitable given the current state of Soldier Field. While it’s a beloved venue with a prime downtown location by the lake, it’s also the smallest stadium in the NFL. That’s inexcusable for one of the league’s most iconic and valuable brands.
There’s also the issue of ownership. Soldier Field is owned by the Chicago Park District, not the Bears. That limits the franchise’s valuation and caps the annual revenue they’re able to generate. A new stadium would change that. It would allow the Bears to control their own venue, expand seating capacity, and host year-round marquee events like Super Bowls, Final Fours, and major concerts.
Built in the right location, it would also open the door to a surrounding entertainment district — restaurants, bars, retail, maybe even a casino — all centered around the Bears brand.
A new stadium is inevitable. The question has always been: where?
For years, Arlington Heights appeared to be the answer. The Bears have purchased the land, but negotiations with Illinois over tax certainty and infrastructure support have dragged. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson continues to push for the team to remain within city limits, but from an infrastructure standpoint, that has never felt even remotely realistic.
Then Indiana entered the conversation.
Over the past few months, Bears CEO Kevin Warren — clearly frustrated with stagnant negotiations in Illinois — began engaging Indiana Governor Mike Braun, who has openly expressed enthusiasm about bringing the Bears across state lines. Indiana lawmakers moved quickly in lockstep with the governor.
At first, it felt like a leverage play for the Bears.
This week, it became very real.
On Thursday, Indiana lawmakers advanced Senate Bill 27, legislation that would create a Northwest Indiana Stadium Authority empowered to acquire land, issue bonds, and help finance a Bears stadium near Wolf Lake in Hammond, IN. The bill passed unanimously and is widely viewed as a major step toward making Hammond a legitimate option.
Shortly after, the Bears issued a statement calling the legislation the “most meaningful step forward in our stadium planning efforts to date,” adding that they would continue conducting site-specific due diligence on the Hammond location.
These developments came after an Illinois House committee hearing on a bill that could have helped keep the Bears in Arlington Heights was canceled — reportedly at the Bears’ request. Governor J.B. Pritzker publicly expressed surprise and disappointment after reading the Bears’ statement about Indiana.
Illinois lawmakers have pushed back rhetorically against losing the Bears. But rhetoric and legislation are two different things. And as of now, there is no competing Illinois bill that has gained comparable momentum.
That’s what makes this week different.
Indiana has meaningful movement. Illinois does not.
It's important to note that the Bears have not legally committed to relocating. Illinois is not officially out of the picture. But there is now credible, tangible momentum toward Hammond — and it’s clear this is no longer just a bluff.
So what happens next?
There are several key checkpoints Bears fans should be watching.
First, Indiana Senate Bill 27 still requires final approval. It needs a full House vote and the governor’s signature. Lawmakers are aiming to complete work before adjournment, potentially by the end of next week. If signed into law, Indiana will formally have the authority and financial mechanisms to facilitate a stadium deal. That would make Hammond a legitimate negotiating partner, not just a political talking point.
Second, Illinois must respond.
The previously canceled hearing on legislation that would provide the Bears tax certainty in Arlington Heights has reportedly been rescheduled for February 26. The Illinois legislature remains in session through May 2026, but time is of the essence. Momentum matters in this saga.
If Illinois can move quickly and pass meaningful legislation with clear tax and infrastructure frameworks, the Bears could pivot back toward Arlington Heights. If talks stall again, Indiana’s position strengthens considerably.
Third, watch the Bears’ language.
So far, team statements have praised Indiana’s progress while offering little more than frustration regarding Illinois. If the Bears begin publicly discussing renewed momentum in Arlington Heights, that would signal progress behind the scenes.
Conversely, the team’s recent comments on the Wolf Lake/Hammond process — calling advances there ‘the most meaningful step forward’ in their planning — have been widely interpreted in the media as a shift of focus toward Indiana’s offer. If public messaging evolves from generic ‘due diligence’ to explicit Hammond prioritization, that would essentially confirm what is already being hinted at.
Finally, there’s the NFL.
Any move outside Illinois would require league review and formal relocation approval. That process takes time and would only begin once the Bears commit to a specific plan. Even with state legislation in place, the NFL has the final say.
So if there's still hoops to jump through, why does this feel like such an urgent and dire matter for Illinois?
Because Indiana is moving quickly, and the Bears appear tired of waiting.
Nothing is finalized today. But for the first time, Indiana feels less like leverage and more like a viable destination. By the end of February, SB 27 could be signed into law. Around that same time, Illinois will have an opportunity to re-enter the conversation with tangible action.
If Illinois fails to gain traction before its session ends in May, the path toward Indiana becomes clearer — and potentially inevitable.
The Bears may not have made their final decision yet. But the clock is now running.