As Stadium Talks Stall, Bears Expand Search - and Illinois Scrambles to Catch Up
For years, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker has kept the Chicago Bears at arm’s length when it comes to their stadium ambitions. From his administration’s perspective, the team’s push for a new home has felt more like a distraction than a priority - especially with the Bears still under lease at Soldier Field and taxpayer dollars firmly off the table for any new development. But that hard stance may have come at a cost.
Now, the Bears are widening their search for a new stadium site - and they’re looking beyond state lines. Northwest Indiana has entered the picture in a serious way, with local officials already moving legislative pieces into place to support a potential relocation. That caught the attention of the Pritzker administration, and fast.
In a clear sign that the situation has escalated, the governor’s office recently brought in outside legal muscle to evaluate stadium options - and, more pointedly, to keep the Bears in Illinois. According to records, the state signed a contract on December 22 with Steve Argeris, a partner at New York-based law firm Weil, Gotshal & Manges. Argeris will be paid $1,455 per hour - a steep rate, but still a notable discount from the firm’s usual top-tier billing of $2,575 per hour.
The documents describe Argeris’ role as advising the governor’s office “in connection with evaluating potential stadium projects with one or more professional sports teams.” While a spokesperson for Pritzker insists the timing of the hire has nothing to do with the Bears’ recent flirtation with Indiana, the optics are hard to ignore.
Let’s be clear: this isn’t just about football anymore. It’s about politics, economics, and legacy - and the clock is ticking.
The Bears' recent letter to season ticket holders, acknowledging the broader stadium search, came just weeks after team executives met with Pritzker and his top aides in Chicago. That meeting, followed by the state’s swift legal hire, suggests the Bears are done waiting for Illinois to get serious.
And now, the governor finds himself in a tight spot. With a pivotal election year ahead, any shift in his stance could be viewed as political backpedaling - or worse, as a concession to wealthy team owners.
But standing pat comes with its own risks. If the Bears bolt to Indiana, Pritzker could be remembered as the governor who let the state’s flagship NFL franchise walk out the door.
That’s the high-stakes game unfolding behind the scenes. The Bears, for their part, appear determined to make a decision sooner rather than later.
They’ve made it clear they want a resolution by the end of the year. Whether that means a new stadium in Illinois or a fresh start across state lines may depend on how quickly - and convincingly - the state can change the narrative.
One thing’s for sure: the Bears aren’t bluffing. And if Illinois doesn’t move with urgency, the next time fans see their team break ground on a new stadium, it might be on Indiana soil.