Chicago Bears leadership is claiming that it is considering a move to northwest Indiana after the team says state leaders in Illinois told them that creating property tax breaks for a new Bears stadium and development in Arlington Heights would not be a priority in 2026.
The Bears and Arlington Heights posted paid consultant reports this fall asking for $855 million in public funds for infrastructure at the site for a stadium and development as well as a new state law that would allow the team to pay lower property taxes than other businesses with a fixed payment through what is called a payment in lieu of taxes, or PILOT.
Economist J.C. Bradbury, who studies the finances of stadiums and developments across the country, said that threats to move a team across state lines to gain leverage are not uncommon. The Chicago White Sox have done it in the past and teams like the Washington Commanders and Kansas City Chiefs have done it in the past few years.
