Why the Chicago Bears Are Threatening to Leave Illinois
For more than 100 years, the Chicago Bears have been one of the most recognizable franchises in the NFL. But a growing dispute over stadium plans and property taxes is raising an unexpected possibility: the Bears could leave Illinois.
Behind the headlines is a complex battle involving billions of dollars, competing state governments, and the future of where the Bears will play for decades. Here’s what’s really happening.
Stay Updated on the Latest Sports News in the U.S.A! Don’t miss breaking stories, exclusive updates, and insider analysis from your favorite teams
Key Takeaways
- The Chicago Bears are considering leaving Illinois amid an ongoing stadium and property tax dispute.
- The team wants to move out of Soldier Field because it is outdated and limits revenue opportunities.
- A proposed $5 billion stadium and entertainment district in Arlington Heights has stalled due to disagreements over long-term property taxes.
- Lawmakers in Indiana have approved steps to potentially build a stadium in Hammond, creating new pressure on Illinois officials.
- Many analysts believe the Indiana proposal may be a negotiating strategy to secure better tax terms in Arlington Heights.
- The Bears’ current lease at Soldier Field runs until 2033, though the team has options to leave earlier.
Chicago Bears Stadium Dispute: At a Glance
- Team: Chicago Bears
- Current Stadium: Soldier Field
- Lease Expiration: 2033
- Proposed New Stadium Cost: About $5 billion
- Preferred Location: Arlington Heights, Illinois
- Alternative Location: Hammond, Indiana
- Main Issue: Long-term property tax agreement and public infrastructure funding
- Potential Investment by Bears: More than $2 billion privately funded
The Real Reason the Bears Want to Leave Soldier Field
The Bears currently play at Soldier Field in downtown Chicago. While the stadium is historic, it also presents a major problem for the team.
The venue is owned by the city, which means the Bears operate as tenants rather than owners. As a result, the franchise does not control key revenue streams generated by the stadium, including concerts and other major events held during the offseason.
In today’s NFL, that revenue matters.
Modern stadiums are designed as year-round entertainment destinations with restaurants, hotels, shopping areas, and large event spaces. Teams that own their stadiums and surrounding developments can generate hundreds of millions of dollars annually outside of football games.
Because of this, the Bears have been exploring options for a new stadium for several years.
The $5 Billion Arlington Heights Plan
In 2023, the Bears purchased a 326-acre property at the former Arlington Park racetrack in Arlington Heights, Illinois, for nearly $200 million.
The plan was ambitious: build a $5 billion stadium and entertainment district anchored by a new domed stadium. The project would allow the Bears to host events such as concerts, conventions, and major sporting events year-round.
Team leadership, including Bears president Kevin Warren, has pushed the project as the franchise’s long-term home.
But the deal ran into a major obstacle — taxes.
The Property Tax Battle
The biggest dispute between the Bears and the local government isn’t the stadium itself.
It’s property taxes.
Cook County officials believe the Arlington Heights property should eventually generate significantly higher taxes once the stadium and entertainment district are operational.
Some estimates suggest the property tax bill could reach $100 million to $200 million per year under Illinois’ system.
The Bears say that the level of uncertainty makes the project financially risky. The team has been trying to negotiate a long-term tax structure that would stabilize property taxes over the next 20 to 40 years.
Without that certainty, the franchise argues it cannot justify investing billions into the project.
Indiana Suddenly Becomes an Option
As negotiations in Illinois stalled, lawmakers in neighboring Indiana made a surprising move.
State legislators approved a proposal to establish a stadium authority that could finance a new venue for the Bears near Wolf Lake in Hammond, Indiana.
The potential site sits just across the Illinois border and is actually closer to downtown Chicago than the Arlington Heights location.
For the Bears, the Indiana proposal provides leverage. If Illinois cannot provide the financial certainty the team wants, Indiana could step in with tax incentives and public financing.
Why Arlington Heights Still Makes the Most Sense
Despite the headlines, many analysts believe Arlington Heights remains the Bears’ preferred destination.
The suburban area has several advantages:
- A larger and wealthier surrounding population
- More space for a large entertainment district
- Closer proximity to the team’s practice facility in Lake Forest
- Land already owned by the franchise
The Hammond proposal, by comparison, would require the Bears to lease land rather than fully control the development. That difference could significantly impact long-term revenue.
A Negotiation Strategy
Some experts believe the Indiana announcement is primarily a negotiation tactic.
Professional sports teams frequently use relocation threats to secure better financial terms from local governments. Similar strategies have been used in other stadium negotiations across the country.
By showing they have alternative options, the Bears increase pressure on Illinois lawmakers to finalize a tax agreement for the Arlington Heights project.
What Happens Next
For now, the Bears’ future remains uncertain. The team still has a lease at Soldier Field until 2033, though it can exit earlier by paying an early termination fee.
Negotiations between the franchise, Illinois officials, and neighboring states will likely continue throughout the coming months.
Where the Bears ultimately decide to build their next stadium could determine the economic future of the region — and where millions of fans will watch football for the next generation.
