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Illinois Dem leaders fume when Chicago Bears mull business-friendly Indiana for new stadium

December 19, 2025 | | Print Article

The Chicago Bears, traditionally based in Illinois, announced on Wednesday that the team is considering building a new stadium in Indiana because of a lack of cooperation from Illinois’ leftist legislators.

In a letter to fans, team president Kevin Warren insisted that while the original plan was to build the stadium in Arlington Heights, a suburb of Chicago, local legislators haven’t been playing ball.

“We have not asked for state taxpayer dollars to build the stadium at Arlington Park,” he wrote. “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,” he added.

He continued by revealing that “State leadership” told him that “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,” he wrote.

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Critics say that this bombshell decision is a direct and unequivocal rebuke of Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, and the rest of Illinois’ radically left-wing lawmakers.

Conversely, the decision appears to be a wink and a nod to Illinois’ business-friendly, l0w-tax Republican lawmakers like Republican Gov. Mike Braun, who posted a tweet welcoming the Bears to his state.

“The Chicago Bears recognize Indiana’s pro-business climate, and I am ready to work with them to build a new stadium in Northwest Indiana,” he wrote. “This move would deliver a major economic boost, create jobs, and bring another premier NFL franchise to the Hoosier State. Let’s get it done.”

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While Braun responded to the Bears’ statement with positivity, Pritzker responded with anger.

“Suggesting the Bears would move to Indiana is a startling slap in the face to all the beloved and loyal fans who have been rallying around the team during this strong season,” a spokesperson said in a statement to the Chicago Sun-Times.

“The Governor’s a Bears fan who has always wanted them to stay in Chicago. He has also said that ultimately they are a private business that makes their own decisions, but the Governor has also been clear that the bottom line for any private business development should not come at the full expense of taxpayers,” they added.

Johnson, meanwhile, stressed in a statement of his own that the Bears “belong” in his town:

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Critics have also noted that this decision perfectly signals Illinois’s backwards spending priorities.

“Illinois spent $2.5B housing, feeding and caring for migrants since 2020,” one critic tweeted. “Suddenly we can’t find a small fraction of that to support the state’s most popular sports team? At the very least we get better infrastructure, new public transit, and a sweet new stadium instead of lighting that money on fire.”

*Language warning*

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Vivek Saxena
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