The Chicago Bears’ stadium saga just added another twist, and this time, it might be the most significant development yet.
After weeks of escalating tension between the Bears and the state of Illinois, Governor JB Pritzker stepped in Monday with a move that could shift the momentum back toward keeping the team in-state. The Bears had been exploring a potential relocation to Northwest Indiana after Illinois lawmakers declined to consider their request for assistance on a new stadium project in Arlington Heights during the upcoming legislative session. That snub sent a clear message: if the Bears wanted help, they weren’t going to get it from Springfield-at least not in the way they had hoped.
So, the Bears started looking elsewhere. Indiana, sensing an opportunity, pounced.
The state’s leadership quickly passed legislation that would allow the team to lease and eventually own a stadium at a site of their choosing. That aggressive courtship didn’t go unnoticed.
Enter Governor Pritzker.
Standing before reporters, Pritzker announced an expansion of the Sales Tax and Revenue (STAR) program-a move that could be a lifeline for the Bears’ Arlington Heights vision. When asked directly about the team’s situation, Pritzker played it cool.
“This was not written for the Bears,” he said. “We’re not specifically looking at it that way.
Perhaps the Bears are. But there’s a lot of discussion, a lot of ongoing conversations with the Bears, and indeed, frankly, progress that’s been made.
So I’m pleased about that.”
Translation? The state isn’t cutting a check for a stadium, but they’re opening the door to a financial framework that could make the project viable. And that’s no small thing.
What the STAR Program Really Means for the Bears
Let’s break down why this matters. The Bears have already committed to financing the stadium construction themselves.
That’s a bold move, and one that gives them leverage-but it also comes with major strings attached. Chief among them: infrastructure.
Building a world-class stadium isn’t just about erecting a venue. It’s about roads, utilities, public transit access, and everything else that makes the surrounding area functional and fan-friendly. That’s where the STAR bonds come into play.
Under the recently expanded STAR program, municipalities across Illinois can now access financing tools to fund large-scale infrastructure improvements tied to tourism and economic development. In plain English: Arlington Heights can now tap into a revenue stream that wasn’t available before-one that could help build out the infrastructure needed to support a new Bears stadium complex.
This is the kind of legislative tool that can change the game. It doesn’t solve every problem, but it does remove one of the biggest roadblocks that had been standing in the way.
The Property Tax Elephant in the Room
Of course, there’s still one massive hurdle left: property taxes. And right now, those numbers are staggering.
Arlington Heights Mayor Jim Tinaglia didn’t mince words in a recent interview with ESPN 1000. Under the current tax structure, he said, the Bears would be on the hook for roughly $210 million a year in property taxes.
That’s not a typo. For comparison, SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles-home to the Rams and Chargers-pays the highest property tax bill in the NFL at $8.8 million annually.
The Bears’ projected tab would be more than 20 times that amount.
You don’t need to be a capologist to know that’s not sustainable. No team, no matter how deep its pockets, can operate under that kind of financial burden. That’s why the Bears are pushing for a legislative fix, and fast.
There’s already a bill in circulation in Springfield aimed at addressing this. Dubbed the “megaprojects” bill, it would cap property taxes for large-scale developments like the one the Bears are proposing.
The problem? It hasn’t gained enough traction to move forward-yet.
But with the STAR program now in place, the focus can shift squarely to getting this tax issue resolved. And make no mistake: the clock is ticking.
Reports indicate the Bears could make a final decision by the end of February. If nothing changes, Indiana remains a very real-and increasingly viable-option.
Signs of Progress, But No Victory Lap Yet
There is a silver lining. According to Paris Schutz of Fox 32 Chicago, talks between the Bears and state officials have recently picked up steam. That’s a promising sign, especially considering how strained the relationship had become just a few weeks ago.
But let’s be clear: this is still a high-stakes negotiation with a lot of moving parts. The Bears aren’t bluffing about Indiana. And Illinois, despite its recent moves, still has work to do if it wants to keep one of its most iconic franchises from crossing the border.
For now, the STAR program is a step in the right direction. It gives Arlington Heights a real shot at building the infrastructure needed to support a new stadium. But until the property tax issue is resolved, the Bears are still straddling two states-and the future of the franchise remains very much up in the air.