As rumors surrounding the Chicago Bears’ potential move across the border ramp up, the Illinois and Arlington Heights legislature, as well as the Bears’ front office have been working nonstop to find a resolution.
With the process formally beginning in 2021, the Bears have not broken ground after placing a bid for Arlington Park Racecourse nearly 6 years ago. After the Bears announced they would be open to other options, moving East to Indiana has become increasingly likely. On February 26th, 2026, Senate Bill 27 was passed, which allows for the creation of a stadium in Hammond, Indiana.
The Bears announced that they are giving Arlington Heights until the end of March to work out a deal. Jim Tinaglia, mayor of Arlington Heights, shares his confidence in an interview with ESPN Chicago, “Well, I know that deal can be done between us and the Bears, that is for sure.” Tinaglia believes that keeping the Bears in Illinois is not the issue, “I think it’ll just take a little bit more time to make the perfect site plan, the perfect building, the perfect, you know, traffic patterns, and all the safety and security things.”
Illinois legislation would give the Bears a tax break on the potential stadium, but the vote needs to reach the entire House floor. Tinaglia reassures his faith in a deal with the Bears and states his weariness with the legislative doings, “No question will we be able to get there with the Bears. Springfield, that is all really in their hands, and I know there is momentum going on…”
Tinaglia yet again expresses his confidence in a deal with the Bears, “I’m not a gambling guy of any sort, but if I had to bet, I am certain the Bears would love to have this solved and in the rearview mirror, and starting on the process to build here in Arlington Heights as soon as possible.”
