The Chicago Bears have expanded the list of potential sites for their future stadium. This now includes northwestern Indiana as a possibility due to stalled progress in Illinois.
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Bears President & CEO Kevin Warren addressed the matter in an open letter on Wednesday evening. He spoke about the passion of the fans and how the team used this same standard while trying to find the home for the team's new stadium.
Warren reiterated that the Bears view the Arlington Heights as the best and only path forward in Cook County, in which sits the city of Chicago. However, he noted that the team needs to expand its search throughout the Chicagoland region, which includes northwest Indiana.
Warren said that this is not about creating leverage. He did not provide any further details about the specific parts of Indiana that could be viable options.
"Over the past several years, we have worked in good faith with Illinois leaders and made clear our commitment and readiness to invest more than $2 billion by the Chicago Bears, one of the largest private investments in state and NFL history," 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."
The Bears own the tract of land in the Arlington Heights area, so this removes one hurdle for the project. The cost of improving the infrastructure in the surrounding area is another matter entirely. According to the Associated Press, the Bears seek $855 million in public funding. This would go toward roads, sewers, and making changes to an adjacent commuter rail line.
Warren also wrote in a letter earlier this year that the team needed the state legislature to pass a bill in October freezing property taxes for larger-scale construction projects. This never came to pass.
The Bears, who have never owned a stadium, have big plans for this fixed-roof stadium, whether it lands in Chicago or Indiana. They want it to host Super Bowls, Final Four games, and other major events that would draw tourists to the area and have an effect on the economy.
"The stakes for Illinois are significant: thousands of union jobs, year-round attractions and global events made possible by a fixed roof stadium that would provide long-term revenue for the State," Warren added. "For a project of this scale, uncertainty has significant consequences.
"Stable timelines are critical, as are predictable processes and elected leaders, who share a sense of urgency and appreciation for public partnership that projects with this level of impact require. We have not received that sense of urgency or appreciation to date. We have been told directly by State leadership, our project will not be a priority in 2026, despite the benefits it will bring to Illinois."
