Bears Seek Stadium Deal Ahead of Illinois Session
The team met with state officials to discuss funding as Indiana pressures them to finalize a move to Hammond.
By Grace Sullivan ·
Chicago Bears fans may soon face a decision on where their team will play in the coming years. The club is actively pursuing two distinct paths for a new stadium. One option involves a legislative package in Illinois. The other centers on a completed deal in Indiana. The team has not yet selected a final location.
Chairman George McCaskey, President Kevin Warren, and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell met with Illinois lawmakers on Wednesday. The group discussed potential legislation that would support a new facility within the state. This meeting occurred less than two weeks before the General Assembly returns to Springfield. Lawmakers begin their fall veto session on Nov. 17.
The Bears released a statement confirming the meeting. The team said it remains committed to building a world-class stadium and mixed-use district. Officials noted they are finalizing due diligence on two sites in the Wolf Lake area of Hammond, Indiana. The statement acknowledged the recent engagement from Illinois leadership. The team said it expects productive dialogue with both state leadership teams in the coming weeks.
In parallel, a local developer is pushing for a third option in Chicago. Related Midwest, the firm behind The 78 in the South Loop, is proposing a stadium at 8080 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive. This property is the former U.S. Steel South Works site. The roughly 200-acre plot sits along the lakefront. It is located just north of the planned Quantum Shore Chicago development. The site is also near the future location of an Advocate Health hospital.
Curt Bailey, president of Related Midwest, said the location could bring major investment to Chicago's South Side. He described a plan for a stadium surrounded by restaurants, retail, and entertainment. Bailey admitted that adding a stadium was not part of the original plan for the property. The developer has worked on the Quantum Shore project for several years. Nearly $1 billion in construction work is already underway at the site. Bailey said the property is about nine miles from Soldier Field. He argued the site could host concerts, Big Ten championships, and Final Fours.
Bailey stated that the developer has already discussed the site with the Bears. The talks included how Illinois Sports Facilities Authority funding might work. He did not disclose how the team responded to the proposal. Questions remain regarding the amount of public money required. The team has not decided who will own the stadium. Financing for the surrounding development is also undecided. Bailey expects substantial private investment to accompany any public infrastructure spending.
Meanwhile, Indiana Governor Mike Braun is urging the Bears to make a choice. In a statement, Braun's office said Indiana has assembled an excellent deal for a stadium in Hammond. The governor emphasized that negotiations were done in good faith to protect Hoosier taxpayers. Braun encouraged the Bears to fully commit to the Indiana site. He noted it is nearly time for the state to shift its energy to the next opportunity.
The Bears continue to weigh these options as the legislative calendar moves forward. The fall veto session starts Nov. 17. Stadium legislation could become a major part of the conversation in Springfield. The team has not announced a final decision. The search for a new home remains open to additional proposals and negotiations.
