Overview
- Team president Kevin Warren said in an open letter that the franchise will evaluate sites across the wider Chicago area, including Northwest Indiana, while maintaining Arlington Heights as its preferred and only viable Cook County option.
- Warren wrote that Illinois leadership told the Bears the Arlington Heights project will not be a priority in 2026, citing uncertainty that he says undermines a project of this scale.
- The Bears say they are not seeking state dollars to build the stadium but want commitments for roads, utilities and other site work plus property-tax certainty to secure financing.
- A team consultant report cited roughly $855 million in public infrastructure needs, and the organization says it has committed to invest more than $2 billion privately in the new domed stadium and surrounding development.
- Gov. J.B. Pritzker criticized the idea of an Indiana move, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle expressed disappointment, and Indiana Gov. Mike Braun signaled willingness to work with the team; the Bears own 326 acres in Arlington Heights and have a Soldier Field lease through 2033 that could be ended early.