The Chicago Bears’ Move: What Does it Mean?

Written by Aliza Cohn

In recent years, a major question has crossed Chicagoans’ minds: Are the Chicago Bears leaving Chicago? This question is not just about football; it is about how states compete for major economic assets. 

The Chicago Bears released a statement regarding a potential move to Hammond, Indiana, saying, “We are committed to finishing the remaining site-specific necessary due diligence to support our vision to build a world-class stadium near the Wolf Lake area in Hammond, Indiana.” Indiana lawmakers were exploring the possibility of creating a special stadium authority and incentives with the team. They have just taken strides towards this as they passed a S27 bill on February 19 to establish the Northwest Indiana Stadium Authority. By doing so, they are allowing the financing and construction of a potential new stadium for the Chicago Bears. Meanwhile, Illinois officials are debating whether to offer tax incentives to keep the team in the state. This raises the question: should states compete against each other using tax incentives to attract or retain private enterprises? 

Supporters may look at this as a way to facilitate economic growth in the country, but this is not the case. When one state takes a private business from another, there is no new economic output; it is just shifted. A stadium relocation does not create an additional NFL franchise; it simply redistributes existing spending. Economic activity tied to the Bears would move across state lines. However, I think this move would decrease economic output. Chicago houses many landmark hotels and restaurants that attract out-of-state fans. According to CNBC, “The Chicago Bears saw the biggest one-year jump in valuation this year, up 39.1% to $8.9 billion.” Given the franchise’s rising value, the push for public subsidies seems less about necessity and instead about maximizing private return.

In order to attract the Chicago Bears, Indiana plans to use municipal bonds, borrowed money that the government promises to pay back, to finance the stadium build, only requiring the team to pay a small amount, compared to that of the Bears’ Arlington Heights project. This makes taxpayers responsible for repaying the debt, and if the stadium does not generate enough revenue, the taxpayers still owe the money. This project creates a huge public risk, but the franchise retains the benefits of any revenue. This imbalance creates significant public risk for private gain.

In an effort to keep them at home, “The Bears had been seeking legislation in Illinois that would allow the team to negotiate tax payments with local governing bodies instead of paying full property taxes,” according to ESPN. The Illinois House of Representatives was set to have a hearing regarding this possibility, but the hearing was later canceled. The Illinois Governor’s spokesperson stated, “Illinois was ready to move this bill forward.” Illinois should not be offering these tax breaks, as it distorts the market. If the Bears need tax breaks to stay, it suggests Chicago is not economically capable on its own. Illinois should instead invest in other major issues, such as transportation and public safety. This would attract many businesses, not just one: The Bears. 

Also, if Illinois offers these tax breaks, it paves the way for other corporations threatening to relocate, in the hopes of receiving the same tax breaks as the Bears. The Bears’ exit would be closely followed by other Chicago sports teams and concert venue locations. Given that building and operating stadiums in high property tax cities has become increasingly expensive. Professional sports teams nationwide have increasingly used relocation threats as leverage in negotiations for stadium financing. If Illinois caves once, it signals relocation threats work. These companies would have a concrete example of political pressure working, and the lawmakers would lose bargaining power. 

The debate over the Chicago Bears’ potential relocation spans far beyond football. It exposes a structural problem in how states interact and pursue economic development. When Illinois and Indiana compete by offering tax incentives and public financing , the result is not actual economic growth but instead a bidding war. The shift from Illinois to Indiana puts a significant financial risk on taxpayers. 

Illinois should resist the temptation to engage in this race. Instead of competing through tax breaks, states could adopt policies that reduce bidding wars and protect taxpayers. One possible solution is creating regional agreements between states, where neighboring states agree not to compete with stadium subsidies. Instead, states could put the money going into these negotiations into infrastructure. If Illinois refuses to engage in the subsidy race, it could send a powerful signal to the Bears, the state of Indiana and other Chicago franchises.

Sources

“Bears’ Potential Move to Indiana Takes Step Forward as Effort to Build Stadium in Illinois Lingers.” NFL.com, 2025, www.nfl.com/news/bears-potential-move-indiana-step-forward-effort-build-stadium-illinois-lingers.

Cronin, Courtney. “Indiana Unanimously Passes Bill to Lure Bears Away from Chicago - ESPN.” ESPN.com, ESPN, 19 Feb. 2026, www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/47977218/indiana-unanimously-passes-bill-lure-bears-away-chicago.

Mishler, Randolph, et al. *ES0027.1* ENGROSSED SENATE BILL No. 27 _____ DIGEST of SB 27 (. 2026.

Ozanian, Michael. “Cowboys Now Worth a Record $12.5B — 10 Other NFL Teams Valued at More than $8B.” CNBC, 4 Sept. 2025, www.cnbc.com/2025/09/04/cnbcs-official-nfl-team-valuations-2025.html.

Perlman, Marissa, and Adam Harrington. “Momentum for New Chicago Bears Stadium Plan Moves toward Hammond, Indiana.” Cbsnews.com, 19 Feb. 2026, www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/illinois-hearing-bears-stadium-canceled-hammond-indiana/.

WSBT 22. “Chicago Bears Conduct Preliminary Test on Indiana Site.” WSBT, 24 Dec. 2025, wsbt.com/news/local/chicago-bears-conduct-preliminary-test-on-indiana-site-new-stadium-test-drill-bp-whiting-refinery-wolf-lake-indiana-illnois-bordersite-report-hammond-indiana. Accessed 10 Mar. 2026.