In a significant development, the Chicago Bears’ Board of Directors has taken a decisive step towards relocating their stadium to Hammond, Indiana, sparking a wave of reactions from Illinois leaders and fervent fans throughout the Chicago area.
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The potential move away from the iconic Soldier Field has placed Illinois political figures in a challenging position. Governor JB Pritzker and other legislative leaders have expressed their readiness to negotiate with the team. However, the question remains whether a mutually agreeable plan can be reached swiftly enough to prevent the Bears from leaving the state.
This announcement follows a series of legislative actions in Illinois, where both the House and Senate proposed separate stadium plans that ultimately failed to gain traction in the opposing chambers. The legislative session concluded without any resolution, pushing the Bears to consider Hammond as a viable alternative location.
Despite the Bears’ strong indication towards moving, the decision is not yet set in stone. A source within the league has indicated that Illinois still has a slim opportunity to retain the team, especially if lawmakers can expedite discussions and consider Arlington Heights as a potential venue.
Senate President Don Harmon remains optimistic, stating, “We are ready and willing to re-engage with the Chicago Bears when they realize Illinois will always be the best place for them.” This perspective underscores the ongoing hope that the Bears might reconsider and stay within Illinois’ borders.
Senate President Don Harmon said in a statement, “We are ready and willing to re-engage with the Chicago Bears when they realize Illinois will always be the best place for them.”
House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch echoed that position, saying, “Illinois remains open to ongoing efforts to secure the Bears in Illinois. However, it will take time to get it right.”
Sports business analyst Marc Ganis, president of Sports Corp. Ltd., said the situation is still fluid.
“They are not finished with the deal with Indiana yet, and that is the sliver of hope Illinois might have if it acted quickly,” Ganis said.
Across the state line, Indiana officials are expressing confidence. State Rep. Earl Harris Jr., a Lake County Democrat, said discussions he has had in Indiana suggest the project is moving forward.
“My understanding and conversation I’ve had with people here in Indiana is that this is definitely a go,” Harris said. He added, “We are 100% confident that eventually we’ll be able to sit in a stadium in Hammond, Indiana, and be glad to see the Bears play their first home game there.”
Pritzker’s office reiterated the governor’s position in a statement, saying, “Governor Pritzker has always been clear that he wants the Bears to stay in Illinois / and still remains open to a sensible solution that protects taxpayers.”
The issue is also drawing attention in the governor’s race. Republican challenger Darren Bailey weighed in, saying, “I do know one thing, I’d hate to be the governor that loses the Chicago Bears.”
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson did not take questions from reporters after an event but released a statement addressing the uncertainty surrounding the team’s plans. “Without a final site selection, until we see shovels in the ground in Hammond, the City will continue to engage in discussions grounded in the interests of our residents,” Johnson said.
Ganis said the Bears’ posture reflects the lack of a clear alternative in Illinois.
“This has never been a leverage play. It has been the option, and because there is no Illinois option right now, there is only one option on the table for the Bears,” he said.
Still, some Illinois lawmakers say talks are continuing. State Rep. Kam Buckner, who co-led negotiations with the team, posted on social media that he spoke with Bears President Kevin Warren earlier in the day.
“He ended the conversation by committing to continue discussions around their pursuit of a new stadium in Illinois,” Buckner wrote.
For now, momentum appears to favor Indiana, but Illinois leaders maintain the Bears’ future is not yet settled, leaving what may be a final opportunity to keep the team in the state.
RELATED: Illinois General Assembly ends session without passing Chicago Bears stadium bill
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker’s office issued the following full statement on Friday: “The Bears have built a storied legacy in Illinois for over 100 years but have spent the last six years, and especially the last few months, shifting their position on a stadium location. That has hindered their progress. Today appears to be another instance of that after Illinois leaders have been working with the Bears in good faith. Governor Pritzker has always been clear that he wants the Bears to stay in Illinois and still remains open to a sensible solution that protects taxpayers.”
This comes after Illinois lawmakers ended the spring session this past weekend without passing legislation to keep the team in Illinois and build in Arlington Heights.
The failed measure would’ve allowed for a mostly Bears-funded stadium that would be publicly owned, meaning the team would not have to pay property taxes.
It passed the Senate but stalled in the House. Suburban leaders in Arlington Heights are hopeful the team could still build on the old Arlington Park site.
Illinois Senate President Don Harmon issued a statement on Friday, saying, “The Chicago Bears have been saying for some time now that Hammond, Indiana is their main focus. Today’s statement isn’t fundamentally different than what the team said in February after Indiana voted to give the Chicago Bears more than a billion dollars in taxpayer money if they move to Indiana. But that didn’t stop their conversations about a future here in Illinois, and it doesn’t appear that today’s statement will either. We are ready and willing to re-engage with the Chicago Bears when they realize Illinois will always be the best place for them.”
House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch said in a statement Friday, “In April, the House passed an economic development package that was the product of extensive negotiation with the Bears and other stakeholders. That bipartisan legislation reflected our belief that we can incentivize statewide development and provide property tax relief for working people. While Indiana is willing to raise taxes and promise $1 billion in taxpayer funds, Illinois has focused on the needs of working families who want relief at the gas pump, at the store, and on their insurance bills-not taxpayer-funded stadiums. Illinois remains open to ongoing efforts to secure the Bears in Illinois. However, it will take time to get it right.”
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson said in a statement, “Over the last several years the Bears have stated their intentions in multiple jurisdictions, today’s announcement is not surprising. It’s also not surprising that Bears officials have stated this vote does not mean a move to Hammond is a done deal. Without a final site selection, until we see shovels in the ground in Hammond, the City will continue to engage in discussions grounded in the interests of our residents.”
Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle said, “While today’s announcement that the Chicago Bears’ Board of Directors has voted to move forward with a relocation to Hammond, Indiana, conversations are ongoing. Cook County remains willing to engage with team ownership and state leaders to explore a path that keeps the Bears in Illinois. As those conversations continue, I am committed to solutions that protect taxpayer dollars while continuing to support the legacy of the Bears in our state.”
Outside of Soldier Field Friday, ABC7 broke the news to a couple of Bears fans.
“That’s the worst news I’ve heard all year maybe my entire life,” Bears fan Aiden Uppling said. “This is outrage, this is wrong, like my heart is beating out my chest, I can’t believe this.”
“I was hoping and praying. I really wanted it in Arlington, because that’s closer to where we live,” fan Rex Chapman said. “I’m lowkey devastated, I’m not gonna lie.”
Friday’s development was met with disbelief and questions.
“I just knew they were going to work something out so they were going to stay in Chicago, I can’t believe it,” fan Elana Smith said.
“What stopped, what held up the discussion, where they were just like, okay we are through there was nothing we could do here in Chicago to keep our team in our state,” fan Alisha Smith said.
“I’m thankful they are not too far. I’m still mad just like everybody… but at least they are just right over the border, a 20-30 minutes drive and we can still see a game,” fan Erik Holston Jr. said.
Some say they will not be going to see the Bears in Indiana. Fan Jessica Neely says she was considering buying season tickets, but not now.
“I hate this for us, I don’t like it at all,” Neely said. “It’s good for Hammond, Indiana, but why? I feel like there were so many options.”
Some shared they think this move disrespects the devotion of Bears fans.
“Everything they might have gained isn’t for us, because we are not getting anything from it,” Joseph Murillo said. ‘We are losing our team.”
Fans ABC7 spoke with hope this isn’t the final move. They urged Bears executives to consider the revenue lost from fans who aren’t willing to cross the state line for games.
The Bears previously said they would make a decision about their stadium by late spring or early summer.
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