Illinois vs. Indiana: Who has the inside track for new Chicago Bears stadium?
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The saga over where the Chicago Bears will build a new stadium has hit a crescendo this week, with both Illinois and Indiana lawmakers confident they will secure a deal.
Why it matters: A new state-of-the-art stadium could reap economic benefits for either state and have an effect on how fans experience games.
- Also, civic pride.
The latest: Northwest Chicago suburban leaders are sounding the alarm, hoping to motivate Illinois lawmakers to reach a deal to keep the team in the Land of Lincoln before ongoing talks with motivated Hoosier leaders go any further.
What's happening: Illinois lawmakers have hinted they are making progress on the state fronting infrastructure costs and may introduce a mega-development bill that would give the Bears the ability to negotiate property taxes on the former Arlington Park site.
- The Bears bought that property in 2023 for the purpose of building a stadium and a surrounding entertainment district.
What they're saying: "I am confident that Springfield is wide awake right now," Arlington Heights Mayor Jim Tinaglia said at a rally Wednesday night.
- "We cannot afford to lose simply because another state moved faster or spoke with a unified voice while we hesitated," Rolling Meadows Mayor Lara Sanoica added.
The intrigue: The intensity has ratcheted up after the Bears signaled in December that they would entertain building a stadium in northwest Indiana. Since then, Indiana has moved fast to try to offer a deal to lure the team from Illinois.
- The extra pressure may have influenced Gov. JB Pritzker, who changed his tune this week, saying he'd be open to improving infrastructure around the proposed stadium site in Arlington Heights.
Between the lines: While the Bears are zeroing in on Arlington Heights, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson still has hope that the team will decide to build, or stay, in Chicago.
- "Hammond or Arlington Heights? They ain't Chicago," Johnson said at a press conference.
Yes, but: Just because Illinois is finally negotiating, it doesn't mean Indiana is walking away.
- Indiana House Speaker Todd Huston (R-Fishers), who is sponsoring a bill that would allow for the financing of a new stadium project, was in The Region last week to meet with local leaders and told Axios he left feeling optimistic.
- Indiana Senate President Pro Tempore Rodric Bray (R-Martinsville) said the ongoing conversations are progressing well.
Friction point: Hoosier lawmakers have two weeks left to hammer out a deal.
- Indiana's legislative session is over at the end of the month.
What we're watching: Indiana's House Ways and Means Committee needs to pass Senate Bill 27 by Thursday to keep the project moving forward.
- "Hopefully we'll have some action next week," Huston said.