Sen. Bill Cunningham

Illinois lawmakers failed to pass a bill aimed at incentivizing the Chicago Bears to build a new stadium in the state, as the House adjourned without voting on the Senate-approved measure. The Senate passed the bill with bipartisan support, but House Speaker Emanuel Welch stated the legislature would revisit the issue later. The Bears confirmed they remain on schedule to decide between staying in Illinois or moving to Indiana's Hammond by late spring/early summer.

Illinois lawmakers introduced a new bill to keep the Chicago Bears in-state, proposing a publicly-owned stadium model similar to Soldier Field. The plan replaces an earlier PILOT concept that failed due to opposition from Chicago Democratic state senators. The Bears have not publicly commented on the proposal, while Indiana offers up to $1 billion to relocate the team to Hammond.

Illinois lawmakers are crafting a 'plan B' to prevent the Chicago Bears from relocating by creating a municipally-owned public stadium authority in Cook County. The original 'megaprojects' bill, which would have allowed the Bears to pay reduced fees instead of property taxes, failed to pass, prompting new negotiations. The Bears have not responded to the proposal, while Indiana offers up to $1 billion in incentives to relocate.

The Bears’ megaprojects bill lacks sufficient Senate votes to pass before the legislative session deadline, with concerns over tax revenue uncertainty complicating negotiations. Alternative proposals focusing on tax certainty for the Bears’ Arlington Heights development are being discussed, but a final agreement remains unresolved.