06/05/2026
Bears Take Step Forward In Move To Indiana — A State Where Chicago Famously Is Not
The announcement is likely to be controversial, but it’s not unexpected — city and state leaders have been locked in strained negotiations with the Bears for years.
by Kelly Bauer
Chicago Bears fans react during a watch party at Ramova Theatre in Chicago after the Los Angeles Rams kicked a field goal to defeat the Chicago during an NFL Divisional Round game on Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026. (Talia Sprague/Block Club Chicago) Credit: Block Club Chicago
CHICAGO — The Chicago Bears took a big step toward leaving Soldier Field for Hammond, Indiana, the team announced Friday.
The team’s Board of Directors has voted to “advance our stadium development project in Hammond, Indiana, with the exact site to be selected,” the team wrote on social media.
“We believe a world-class stadium project in Hammond will transform the region,” the statement said. “It will bring Chicagoland together and deliver new opportunities to its residents and businesses.”
The announcement is likely to be controversial, as a move to Hammond would take the “Chicago” Bears into Indiana — a state where Chicago famously is not located. It also will put the team at odds with its longtime fight song, “Bear Down, Chicago Bears!” which declares, “You’re the pride and joy of Illinois!”
The decision comes after years of strained negotiations between city and state leaders to keep the team in Illinois after the team announced it wanted to play in a domed statement in 2021, and only a few days after state lawmakers failed to pass a bill that would have incentivized the team to stay in Chicago.
The announcement is “not surprising,” a Mayor’s Office spokesperson said in a statement. “It’s also not surprising that Bears officials have stated this vote does not mean a move to Hammond is a done deal.
“Without a final site selection, until we see shovels in the ground in Hammond, the City will continue to engage in discussions grounded in the interests of our residents.”
Indeed, even with the announcement, state Sen. Bill Cunningham told Capitol News Illinois he got a call from Bears President and CEO Kevin Warren Friday morning “and he told me they were going to release a statement about moving forward with Hammond. He also said he looks forward to continuing discussions with me.”
Gov. JB Pritzker criticized the Bears leadership for sending mixed signals on where the team wants to play.
“The Bears have built a storied legacy in Illinois for over 100 years but have spent the last six years, and especially the last few months, shifting their position on a stadium location. That has hindered their progress,” he said in a statement. “Today appears to be another instance of that after Illinois leaders have been working with the Bears in good faith. Governor Pritzker has always been clear that he wants the Bears to stay in Illinois and still remains open to a sensible solution that protects taxpayers.”
The Bears have been in Chicago since 1921, playing at Wrigley Field before moving to Soldier Field in 1971. Their current lease, which followed a $630 million renovation of the lakefront stadium in 2003, doesn’t expire until 2033.
The Bears first flirted with moving from Soldier Field five years ago when the team spent nearly $200 million to purchase the former Arlington race track with the intent of building a stadium and mixed-use development there.
Then-Mayor Lori Lightfoot tried to keep the team in Chicago by suggesting a revamp of Soldier Field — including adding a dome.
But the team and Lightfoot’s administration failed to come to an agreement, with the team continuing to make plans to move to the suburbs. That led to significant public criticism of Lightfoot, who lost her reelection bid in early 2023.
Chicago Bears President and CEO Kevin Warren Credit: AP
It looked possible the Bears could stay in Chicago in spring 2024, when the team began publicly pushing for a new stadium in the city — with hopes taxpayers would pick up half of the expected $4.6 billion tab. Mayor Brandon Johnson was part of the announcement of the proposal.
But the plan was met with skepticism from officials and the public, with Pritzker expressing reservations about the Bears getting financial support from the state.
As negotiations between officials and team leaders have failed to bear fruit, the Bears have repeatedly threatened to move to Indiana, to the ire of many fans. Officials in Indiana have offered to use taxpayer funding to build the team a stadium there.
Indiana Gov. Mike Braun celebrated Friday’s announcement on social media.
“Hoosiers, help me welcome the Chicago Bears to our great state!” Braun wrote. “We look forward to building a partnership as strong as the ’85 Bears defense, creating opportunities and economic growth that will benefit our state and the Bears organization for decades to come.”
More recently, Pritzker and Johnson have traded barbs publicly about who is at fault for the stalled negotiations with the Bears — but team officials, including Chairman George McCaskey and Warren, have also received significant criticism from fans for seeking to leave the team’s home city. Officials were also criticized for repeatedly changing positions and reportedly having a muted presence in Springfield last weekend as lawmakers sought to pass legislation to keep the team in Illinois.
“As a PSL season ticket holder, this is a disgrace. A disgrace to Papa Bear Halas. A disgrace to Virginia and huge FU to the loyal fans of Chicago,” one fan posted on Facebook. “Shame on you George and Kevin. Shame on you for not extending your crocodile arms into your own billions to pay for this after all the Chicago fans have given to your pockets and families.”
Illinois politicians have also faced criticism for seemingly letting the Bears move out of state. Even former Gov. Rod Blagojevich — who was convicted on corruption charges before he was pardoned by President Donald Trump last year — weighed in.
“THIS NEVER WOULD HAVE HAPPENED If I WERE GOVERNOR & DALEY WERE MAYOR!!!” he said in a post on X.
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