Chicago Bears board advances Hammond, Indiana stadium plan after Illinois impasse

The Chicago Bears’ board of directors voted Thursday to advance stadium development work in Hammond, Indiana, marking the franchise’s first formal step tied to a specific site. The move follows the end of Illinois’ spring legislative session without House action on a stadium-related property tax framework for the team’s Arlington Heights concept.

Team officials said the authorization initiates planning in Indiana while evaluations continue in Illinois. They added that the step does not finalize a relocation or select an exact site and that league leadership will be kept informed.

Club leaders emphasized that the vote permits due diligence and site planning in Hammond on a parallel track while the team assesses Illinois pathways. Any eventual cross-border move would still require local and state approvals in Indiana. The action formalizes an out-of-state alternative as the franchise weighs long-term stadium options and timelines.

The Bears have pledged $2 billion toward construction of a new venue, a commitment they have tied to securing predictable property tax treatment. Officials said Indiana addressed that issue in February with legislation designed to provide certainty, and the club has kept the NFL’s stadium committee apprised as plans evolve. The team has reiterated that predictable tax policy is a prerequisite for any build.

Illinois momentum stalled when the House adjourned without taking up a Senate-approved bill that would allow Cook County cities with more than 70,000 residents to create sports stadium authorities. Under that framework, the land would be publicly owned while the team funds construction, a shift from an earlier “megaprojects” concept that did not advance. With no House vote, the status of any Illinois-based plan remains uncertain.

Indiana positioned as front-runner

Property tax certainty drives decision

Indiana is currently viewed by a league source as the leading option to land a new domed stadium for the Bears, though Illinois could re-enter the picture if a viable tax structure is approved. Thursday’s authorization advances continued due diligence and planning in Hammond, with the exact site within the city yet to be determined.

The board’s move signals preparation for multiple outcomes depending on legislative movement. If Illinois lawmakers revisit stadium legislation in a future session, the Arlington Heights concept could regain momentum. If not, Indiana’s policy environment already addresses the tax certainty the team has prioritized.

Illinois track and Arlington Heights asset

Stadium authority bill stalled

The franchise continues to view its 326-acre Arlington Heights parcel — purchased in 2021 on the former Arlington International Racecourse site — as a significant asset. Team leaders have stressed that any Illinois build requires a stable and predictable tax arrangement alongside alignment on governance, infrastructure and financing.

Until those conditions are met, the Hammond track provides a concrete alternative to keep timelines moving while the organization coordinates with state and local officials on both sides of the border. Attention now turns to whether Illinois lawmakers revive or revise stadium legislation and to the pace of Indiana discussions on site selection and agreements. The Bears are expected to keep both tracks open, with property tax certainty remaining the decisive factor.