Roger Goodell has entered the Chicago Bears’ stadium search, meeting Thursday with Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and top state lawmakers as the franchise continues to weigh options in Illinois and neighboring Indiana.
The discussion put renewed attention on the possibility of keeping the Bears in Illinois, even after the club said in August that Hammond, Indiana, had become its only focus for a new stadium and adjacent mixed-use project. Pritzker’s office said state officials have remained in contact with the organization during the summer and described the meeting as productive, centered on retaining the Bears while safeguarding taxpayers.
Goodell was joined by Bears minority owner and board member Pat Ryan. The Illinois delegation included House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, Senate President Pro Tempore Bill Cunningham and state Rep. Kam Buckner, whose district includes Soldier Field.
The NFL stressed the need for movement as the Bears pursue a permanent answer for their stadium future. The league said a timely decision is important for the club and its fans. The Bears did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Illinois returns to the conversation
The Bears have explored several Illinois locations over the past several years, including Arlington Heights, roughly 30 miles northwest of downtown Chicago. The team bought 326 acres at the former Arlington International Racecourse in a $197 million transaction completed in 2023 after reaching its initial purchase agreement with Churchill Downs Inc. in September 2021.
In 2022, the Bears presented a proposal approaching $5 billion for the Arlington Heights property. It featured a domed stadium capable of hosting major events such as the Super Bowl and the NCAA Final Four, along with a year-round retail, dining and entertainment district.
After Kevin Warren became team president in January 2023, the club redirected its attention toward a new building beside Soldier Field on Chicago’s Museum Campus. Mayor Brandon Johnson strongly supported that concept when it was unveiled in April 2024, but Pritzker and Illinois legislators were less receptive.
By May 2025, the Bears had again cited meaningful progress in their talks with Arlington Heights officials. But efforts to obtain tax relief in Illinois and up to $855 million in public infrastructure support for the suburban development remained unresolved.
Indiana has built momentum
With Illinois legislation stalled, the Bears began examining northwest Indiana more closely. An Indiana House committee approved legislation in February to establish a Northwest Indiana Stadium Authority, which would have responsibility for financing, building and leasing a stadium.
Warren said in August that the organization was communicating with Indiana officials nearly every day about the proposed project. He described the potential arrangement as beneficial to both sides.
Illinois lawmakers also considered a path that could have aided a Bears development. The state Senate passed legislation allowing Chicago and Arlington Heights to create local stadium authorities, potentially enabling the team to avoid property taxes on a new facility. The Illinois House ended its spring session without taking up the bill.
A century-old Illinois connection
The Bears have played in Illinois since the franchise began in 1920 as the Decatur Staleys. The club moved to Chicago in 1921, spent years at Wrigley Field and began playing at Soldier Field in September 1971.
The current Soldier Field lease extends through 2033, although the team can exit the agreement early by paying a penalty. Soldier Field sits about 40 miles from Halas Hall in Lake Forest, while Hammond is approximately 20 miles south of the Bears’ current lakefront home.
Goodell’s meeting with Illinois leaders does not settle the Bears’ location question, but it signals that the state remains involved despite the organization’s recent Indiana push. The franchise’s long-running search now again includes competing possibilities in Chicago, Arlington Heights and Hammond.
