NFL’s Chicago Bears Are Considering Leaving Illinois If Politicians Keep It Up [WATCH]

The Chicago Bears are increasingly signaling that they may take their search for a new stadium beyond Illinois, citing frustration with state and local political leaders and warning that stalled legislation has jeopardized plans to keep the franchise in the Chicago area.

The Bears are exploring changing their stadium plans, including moving the team and building in Northwest Indiana, president and CEO Kevin Warren wrote in a letter to fans.

The franchise has been in Chicago for more than 100 years, after moving to the city in 1921 from Decatur,… pic.twitter.com/4oPfNNmu17

— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) December 18, 2025

For several years, the Bears have warned that remaining in downtown Chicago may not be viable without a new stadium and updated infrastructure.

The team has explored relocation options within the region, including a move to nearby suburbs, but negotiations and required government actions have slowed considerably.

State lawmakers in Illinois would need to approve zoning changes, infrastructure funding, and property tax arrangements, but those steps have not materialized.

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Last year, Bears President and CEO Kevin Warren said the organization was focused on relocating to suburban Arlington Heights, on the site of the former Arlington Park horse racing track.

That plan, however, has stalled at the state Capitol in Springfield, prompting the team to broaden its search.

According to WGN-TV, Warren has now indicated that the Bears could leave Illinois entirely.

“In addition to Arlington Park, we need to expand our search and critically evaluate opportunities throughout the wider Chicagoland region, including Northwest Indiana,” Warren said in an open letter to fans.

Warren wrote that the Bears had relied on guidance from Illinois leadership but had not received the legislative cooperation needed to move forward.

“We listened to state leadership and relied on their direction and guidance, yet our efforts have been met with no legislative partnership,” he said.

He emphasized that delays and uncertainty have created significant challenges for a project of this scale.

“Stable timelines are critical, as are predictable processes and elected leaders, who share a sense of urgency and appreciation for public partnership that projects with this level of impact require,” Warren wrote.

“We have not received that sense of urgency or appreciation to date.”

Warren also said the team was informed that its stadium project would not be a priority for state lawmakers next year.

“We have been told directly by State leadership that our project will not be a priority in 2026, despite the benefits it will bring to Illinois,” he wrote.

While acknowledging the growing tension, Warren insisted the Bears are not using the possibility of relocation as a negotiating tactic.

“Our goal is clear: build a world-class football team that has a world-class stadium worthy of our world-class fans — a stadium that reflects the future we are building together,” he said.

The Chicago Bears are seriously considering moving their stadium to INDIANA because the political policies of ILLINOIS are so terrible

High taxes. Crumbling infrastructure. Over-regulation. At some point people have to stop voting for this nonsense pic.twitter.com/gUmVv40PZC

— Joshua D Phillips (@JoshPhillipsPhD) December 18, 2025

The Bears’ efforts to secure a new stadium date back to at least 2023, when the organization first asked Chicago officials to assist in identifying a downtown site and to partner on funding.

City leaders did not take formal action, and neither of the city’s two most recent mayors advanced a concrete proposal to keep the team in Chicago.

Mayor Brandon Johnson is in FULL PANIC mode after the Chicago Bears said they may move their stadium outside of the city.

NOBODY wants to be in that crime ridden city. pic.twitter.com/H3BuPZHoBC

— American AF (@iAnonPatriot) December 18, 2025

In 2024, the Bears signed a memorandum of understanding with the City of Arlington Heights to relocate to the former racetrack property.

That agreement was tied to the advancement of a “megaprojects” bill in the Illinois legislature, which a local state senator had pledged to support.

The bill was intended to provide infrastructure funding needed to support a large-scale development such as a new stadium.

Arlington Heights officials have said the legislation is essential before the project can proceed.

The megaprojects bill, however, has stalled in Springfield, where Chicago Democrats have opposed measures that could facilitate the Bears’ departure from the city.

With no movement on the legislation, the Bears’ Arlington Heights plan remains uncertain.

As Illinois lawmakers debate, officials in Indiana have moved to position their state as a potential alternative.

The Indiana General Assembly has passed House Bill 1292, creating a “professional sports development commission” designed to explore options for attracting a major sports franchise to northwest Indiana.

The legislation “authorizes the commission to study various plans and recommendations that are proposed with respect to attracting a professional sports franchise to northwest Indiana.”

Several towns in northwest Indiana have already expressed interest in hosting the Bears, hoping to capitalize on the opportunity should the team decide to cross the state line.

The situation places pressure on Illinois leaders to act if they hope to keep one of the state’s most storied sports franchises.

With no firm timeline in place and political disagreements unresolved, the Bears appear poised to continue exploring all available options as they seek a long-term home for the team.

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