The Bears Confirm Illinois Stadium Talks: What Their Nov. 6 Statement Says and Doesn't

Author’s note: I gathered the information in this post from public reporting, government documents and public records. It reflects what was known as of November 6, 2026. The meeting described here was reported by national NFL reporters and has not been detailed publicly by state officials, so I label it as reported. Sources are linked at the bottom. If you spot an error or have a tip, please let me know. — Joe Bjorklund

Bottom line (as of November 6, 2026): On November 6, the Chicago Bears confirmed they are working with Illinois leaders on possible stadium legislation, for a stadium in Arlington Heights or Chicago. The team also said it is still finalizing due diligence on two Hammond, Indiana, sites. No Illinois bill has been filed, no vote has been scheduled, and no stadium at Arlington Park has been approved.

What happened this week?

ESPN and NFL Network reported that NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, Bears Chairman George McCaskey and Bears President and CEO Kevin Warren met with Illinois legislative leaders in Chicago earlier in the week of November 2 (ABC7 Chicago; FOX 32). Neither the state nor the team has released an exact date, a location or a full list of who attended. Treat the meeting details as reported, not officially confirmed.

This was not the first meeting of its kind. On October 1, Gov. JB Pritzker, House Speaker Chris Welch, Rep. Kam Buckner and Sen. Bill Cunningham met with Goodell and Bears minority owner Pat Ryan (Daily Herald; FOX 32, Oct. 3). Pritzker said then that Bears representatives took part. What is new this week is that the team’s chairman and president were reported in the room, and that the team followed up with a public statement.

What did the Bears say?

The team’s November 6 statement made four points, as reported by Shaw Local and FOX 32:

The Bears remain committed to building a stadium and mixed-use district for their fans.
They are still working with Indiana leaders and are finalizing due diligence on two sites in the Wolf Lake area of Hammond.
They appreciate recent engagement from Illinois leadership to explore legislation, which let the team share feedback.
They expect talks with both states’ leaders to continue. In the team’s words, they expect “productive dialogue with both leadership teams in the coming weeks” (Shaw Local).

That is a change in tone. In August, team leaders called Hammond their sole focus, and Chairman McCaskey said the Arlington Heights plan had failed to gain enough political support. In August, Warren also described the team’s Illinois talks as minimal (FOX 32). The new statement does not drop Hammond, but it puts Illinois back on the table in the team’s own words.

What would the Illinois legislation do?

No bill text has been made public this fall. According to Front Office Sports (Nov. 3), the latest Illinois framework would create a local stadium authority to own a new domed stadium. The Bears would pay to build it, public money would go to roads and other surrounding infrastructure, and the team would make a set lease payment instead of paying property taxes. Industry sources told the outlet the authority could still become a state-level body.

That framework resembles the stadium authority language in HB 958 (Senate Amendment 2), which passed the Illinois Senate in the final hours of the spring session but never got a House vote (Shaw Local). For background, see our explainer: What is a stadium authority?

Pritzker has repeatedly said taxpayer money should cover only infrastructure. On November 6, FOX 32 reported that he said stadium authority legislation will be ready for the start of the veto session, with hearings when it opens and a possible vote in the first week of December (FOX 32). That is the governor’s stated timeline, not a scheduled vote.

Where does Arlington Heights fit?

The Bears own the 326-acre former Arlington Park site, which they bought in February 2023. On November 6, state and village officials said the site remains a possible stadium location (Shaw Local). The team’s statement refers to Illinois in general terms, and reporting describes the options as Arlington Heights or Chicago.

Chicago is getting new pitches, too. On November 6, Related Midwest President Curt Bailey proposed the former U.S. Steel South Works site on the South Side lakefront for a covered stadium (ABC7 Chicago). The Bears have not said they are considering that site. The Village of Arlington Heights has taken no new formal action on a stadium.

What about Hammond?

Indiana passed its own stadium authority law in February 2026, and Hammond remains the Bears’ official focus. The team said it is finishing due diligence on two Wolf Lake-area sites; earlier reporting named Lost Marsh and the Wolf Lake Terminal (FOX 32). Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott recently said the situation is “changing every second,” and Indiana leaders are expected to press the team for a decision once site work is done (Front Office Sports).

What does this not mean?

It does not mean a deal has been reached. The Oct. 29 Crain’s report of a near deal relied on unnamed sources, and Hammond’s mayor dismissed it.
It does not mean a bill has been filed. As of Nov. 6, no Illinois stadium bill has been introduced for the veto session.
It does not mean the Bears have ruled out Indiana. The statement says the opposite.
It does not change the local steps. Any Arlington Park stadium would still need state law, local agreements and village approvals.

What to watch next

Bill filing: whether stadium authority language is introduced before or during the first veto week, Nov. 17-19.
Hearings and votes: committee hearings in November and a possible floor vote Dec. 1-3, the governor’s stated target.
Vote math: a bill passed in the veto session needs a three-fifths majority to take effect before June 1, 2027, so Republican votes could matter depending on its effective date (FOX 32). See our veto session preview.
House leadership: 26 House Democrats have called for a new Speaker; Welch needs 60 votes in January. Watch whether that affects the veto calendar.
Hammond decision: whether the Bears pick one of the two Wolf Lake-area sites.

The Bears Confirm Illinois Stadium Talks: What Their Nov. 6 Statement Says and Doesn’t