The Chicago Bears started their push for a new stadium in 2022. Team president Kevin Warren has repeatedly promised that his goal was to get shovels in the ground by 2025. Well, the year is almost over, and it's clear that it's not happening. However, the bad news continues to come for the team president. Apparently, the Illinois state government has told the Bears that their stadium project won't be a priority in 2026 either. This leaves the franchise in an uncertain limbo as they search for a new home.
It appears Warren and the McCaskey family have reached their breaking point. The team president released a statement on Wednesday for Bears fans. In it, he explained all the reasons behind the stadium's delay. There is no question that he blames the state government, especially Cook County, for the failures. As a result, the Bears are expanding their search for a new stadium site, and this time they're considering places not just further away, but out of the state entirely.
The frustration is impossible to miss.
With two regular season home games remaining, we are focused on building a championship organization worthy of you.
The same standard has guided our work on a new world-class stadium. Earlier this season, we shared that Arlington Heights is the only location in Cook County that meets the requirements for a world-class NFL stadium. We still believe it offers the best and only path forward in Cook County given there are no other viable alternatives...
...We have not asked for state taxpayer dollars to build the stadium at Arlington Park. We asked only for a commitment to essential local infrastructure (roads, utilities, and site improvements) which is more than typical for projects of this size. Additionally, we sought reasonable property tax certainty to secure financing. We listened to state leadership and relied on their direction and guidance, yet our efforts have been met with no legislative partnership...
...We have not received that sense of urgency or appreciation to date. We have been told directly by State leadership, our project will not be a priority in 2026, despite the benefits it will bring to Illinois.
Consequently, in addition to Arlington Park, we need to expand our search and critically evaluate opportunities throughout the wider Chicagoland region, including Northwest Indiana. This is not about leverage. We spent years trying to build a new home in Cook County. We invested significant time and resources evaluating multiple sites and rationally decided on Arlington Heights. Our fans deserve a world-class stadium. Our players and coaches deserve a venue that matches the championship standard they strive for every day. With that in mind, our organization must keep every credible pathway open to deliver that future.
The Chicago Bears were always going to face the impossible.
Anyone who has lived in Illinois for a long time understands one thing. The politics are on a level of greed and corruption unseen almost anywhere else in the country. There is no way the Chicago Bears would've been able to get a stadium proposal through without greasing every palm imaginable. It is why George Halas never got it done during his many years as the owner. Illinois also has the second-highest property taxes among every state. Conversely, Indiana ranks 31st. The allure isn't hard to see.
Besides, state government officials have been making a big push to reshape the region around Gary, Indiana, for years. A great way to do that is by luring big-name sports franchises there. The Bears would be a golden goose as one of the most lucrative organizations in American sports. Besides, it's not like this is unprecedented. Plenty of teams don't play in the states or cities they're named for. The New York Giants and Jets play in New Jersey. The Washington Commanders play in Maryland. It would be a common practice for the Bears.
