Report: Bears are close to a deal to stay in Illinois

Published October 29, 2026 01:19 PM The Bears can finally drop the Hammond facade.After months of claiming that they’re solely focused on building a new stadium in Indiana, the bluff has worked. Via Greg Hinz of Crain’s Chicago Business, the Bears are “close to a deal that would keep them in Illinois.”A vote in the Illinois legislature could come as soon as November.The new venue would “most likely” be built in Arlington Heights, not Chicago. But Illinois is still Illinois. And it’s not Indiana.The new law would allow any municipality (including Chicago) to form an authority that would own and operate the stadium, with no property taxes being paid. Taxpayers would be responsible only for new roads and other infrastructure. Hinz also reports that recent progress has been fueled by the involvement of Bears minority owner Pat Ryan. Commissioner Roger Goodell also has gotten involved, with majority owner George McCaskey and president/CEO Kevin Warren — who said in August that Hammond, Indiana was the team’s “sole focus” — taking a backseat.It’s still not done, but it’s the biggest indication yet that the Bears won’t be leaving Illinois. Even after repeatedly saying they would.