Chicago Bears Consider Moving Out of Illinois

The Chicago Bears are expanding their search for a new stadium site, including locations outside Illinois. In an open letter to fans released Wednesday, team president and CEO Kevin Warren said the organization will “critically evaluate opportunities throughout the wider Chicagoland region, including Northwest Indiana,” as it looks to build a new, “world-class” domed stadium.

The announcement marks a shift from the team’s earlier focus on Arlington Heights, where the Bears purchased the former Arlington International Racecourse for $197 million in 2023, prior to Warren’s arrival. That site had been envisioned as part of a $5 billion mixed-use development centered on a 60,000-seat, fixed-roof stadium, according to ESPN.

Warren said the broader search is not a negotiating tactic. He pointed to stalled efforts in Cook County, including the Arlington Heights proposal and a more recent plan for a privately funded lakefront stadium south of Soldier Field. Those talks have been hindered by disputes over property taxes, infrastructure expenses, and public financing. The Bears have sought long-term tax certainty and approximately $855 million in public funding for infrastructure and related costs, while maintaining that they are not asking the state to pay for the stadium itself.

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, speaking through a spokesperson, criticized the possibility of a move to Indiana as a “startling slap in the face” to fans, while acknowledging that the Bears are a private business. The team’s lease at Soldier Field runs through 2033, but the Bears have repeatedly said they want to break ground on a new stadium by the end of this year. As recently as September, Warren said the new venue would be located in Arlington Heights.

The renewed stadium debate comes as the 10–4 Bears prepare to host the Green Bay Packers on Saturday in one of the most significant home games Chicago has seen at Soldier Field in years. With a win, the Bears could secure their first playoff berth since 2020 and move closer to an NFC North division title, according to NBC Chicago.