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The saga over where the Chicago Bears will build a new stadium has hit a crescendo this week, with both Illinois and Indiana lawmakers confident they will secure a deal.

Why it matters: A new state-of-the-art stadium could reap economic benefits for either state and have an effect on how fans experience games.

The latest: Northwest Chicago suburban leaders are sounding the alarm, hoping to motivate Illinois lawmakers to reach a deal to keep the team in the Land of Lincoln before ongoing talks with motivated Hoosier leaders go any further. 

What's happening: Illinois lawmakers have hinted they are making progress on the state fronting infrastructure costs and may introduce a mega-development bill that would give the Bears the ability to negotiate property taxes on the former Arlington Park site.

The Bears bought that property in 2023 for the purpose of building a stadium and a surrounding entertainment district.

What they're saying: "I am confident that Springfield is wide awake right now," Arlington Heights Mayor Jim Tinaglia said at a rally Wednesday night.

"We cannot afford to lose simply because another state moved faster or spoke with a unified voice while we hesitated," Rolling Meadows Mayor Lara Sanoica added.

The intrigue: The intensity has ratcheted up after the Bears signaled in December that they would entertain building a stadium in northwest Indiana. Since then, Indiana has moved fast to try to offer a deal to lure the team from Illinois.

The extra pressure may have influenced Gov. JB Pritzker, who changed his tune this week, saying he'd be open to improving infrastructure around the proposed stadium site in Arlington Heights.

Between the lines: While the Bears are zeroing in on Arlington Heights, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson still has hope that the team will decide to build, or stay, in Chicago.

"Hammond or Arlington Heights? They ain't Chicago," Johnson said at a press conference.

Yes, but: Just because Illinois is finally negotiating, it doesn't mean Indiana is walking away.

Indiana House Speaker Todd Huston (R-Fishers), who is sponsoring a bill that would allow for the financing of a new stadium project, was in The Region last week to meet with local leaders and told Axios he left feeling optimistic. 

Indiana Senate President Pro Tempore Rodric Bray (R-Martinsville) said the ongoing conversations are progressing well. 

Friction point: Hoosier lawmakers have two weeks left to hammer out a deal. 

Indiana's legislative session is over at the end of the month. 

What we're watching: Indiana's House Ways and Means Committee needs to pass Senate Bill 27 by Thursday to keep the project moving forward. 

"Hopefully we'll have some action next week," Huston said.

Illinois vs. Indiana: Who has the inside track for new Chicago Bears stadium?

Both states are pushing forward to land the Bears and their new stadium.

Animated illustration of a construction crane lifting a giant foam finger that reads "#1."

Photo of a sports stadium near skyscrapers in a downtown area. 

The saga over where the Chicago Bears will build a new stadium has hit a crescendo this week, with both Illinois and Indiana lawmakers confident they will secure a deal.Why it matters: A new state-of-the-art stadium could reap economic benefits for either state and have an effect on how fans experience games.<ul><li>Also, civic pride.</li></ul>

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The Chicago Bears publicly expressed interest in building a new stadium in Hammond, after Indiana lawmakers moved forward on a bill to lure them across the border.

Why it matters: The "Pride and Joy of Illinois" could play football in a different state.

By the numbers: Under the deal in Indiana Senate Bill 27, the state would issue bonds that would be paid for by an admission tax and a new professional sports development area that would capture retail, food and beverage and other taxes from properties around the stadium.

The Bears would invest around $2 billion toward construction, while Indiana would kick in upward of $1 billion toward the construction and infrastructure to support the project, which would be owned by a state-created stadium authority.

The intrigue: Leaders from both states are singing different tunes.

What they're saying: "What a day for Northwest Indiana," Indiana House Speaker Todd Huston said. "What a day for Indiana."

The other side: While Indiana lawmakers rally, Illinois lawmakers say no deal is done. Instead, Gov. JB Pritzker says his office and the Bears have a framework for their own deal.

"It's very disappointing to hear they would put that statement out but not say anything about the advancement that has been made in the state of Illinois," Pritzker said Thursday, suggesting the state and the team had "mostly agreed" on a bill after meeting Wednesday.

"Illinois was ready to move this bill forward," Pritzker spokesperson Matt Hill wrote on social media. "After a productive three-hour meeting yesterday, the Bears leaders requested the ILGA (general assembly) pause the hearing to make further tweaks to the bill. This morning, we were surprised to see a statement lauding Indiana and ignoring Illinois."

Catch up quick: Talks about moving the team to Indiana got serious in the last few months as negotiations with Illinois leaders stalled.

While the Bears had also promised to kick in $2 billion to build in Arlington Heights, Illinois leaders stopped short of guaranteeing the team any taxpayer money for construction or infrastructure costs.

Zoom in: The Bears have identified a possible site in Hammond near Wolf Lake, which straddles the Indiana/Illinois border and is about 20 miles from downtown Chicago.

Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr. described the planned entertainment district with hotels, restaurants and other amenities as "a separate city within the city of Hammond."

"We're going to make a Bearsville right outside of this stadium," he said.

Yes, but: "I think the Bears are taking the responsible position to consider all their options," Illinois state Sen. Mark Walker said Thursday. Walker, who represents the Arlington Heights area, said he expected Indiana to move the bill forward.

"It nowhere near means they're close to a deal yet."

The bottom line: Things could get ugly if the team decides to leave the state it's called home for over 100 years.

"The Bears have to realize they just can't take advantage of taxpayers," former Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn said Thursday on The Score, noting that Illinois residents are still on the hook for the Soldier Field renovations from 2003.

"I don't think it's fair for the Bears to just sort of take money for themselves and run away."

What we're watching: The Bears have publicly expressed their intentions before, and many analysts are skeptical that this play isn't more of the same negotiation tactics the team has used in the last few years.

Also, if the Bears did make the move, the site would have to pass environmental inspection, and the NFL would need to sign off on moving the team to a different state.

What's next: The bill is expected to easily pass through the Indiana Statehouse in the coming days. It's unclear if Illinois will move forward with its own bill.

The Bears have said they'd like to start construction on a stadium site this year. 

Illinois lawmakers push back on Chicago Bears' Indiana stadium plan

IL Gov. JB Pritzker said he was surprised by the Bears' announcement Thursday.

A packed Chicago Bears football stadium at dusk with fans wearing orange and navy. The field is lit and a large screen shows black-and-white portraits. Chicago skyline in background.

Game time at Soldier Field in 2025. Photo: Michael Reaves/Getty Images

The Chicago Bears publicly <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="expressed interest" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2026/02/19/indiana-illinois-chicago-bears-stadium-deal" data-vars-content-id="3a84913f-bfe2-4c85-80a7-9d7f3f7a59a4" data-vars-headline="Illinois lawmakers push back on Chicago Bears&#x27; Indiana stadium plan" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2026/02/19/indiana-illinois-chicago-bears-stadium-deal" target="_self">expressed interest</a> in building a new stadium in Hammond, after Indiana lawmakers moved forward on a bill to lure them across the border.Why it matters: The &quot;Pride and Joy of Illinois&quot; could play football in a different state.

No need to head to rural Wisconsin. We've got fireflies right here in Chicago. 

The big picture: Fireflies, or lightning bugs to many of us, are having a good year. In general, firefly populations have declined over the last 100 years, said Megan Abraham, division director and state entomologist at the Indiana Department of Natural Resources.

Yes, but: Conditions were good for fireflies this year, and there are likely more of them lighting up night skies near you than in recent summers.

What she's saying: "Every once in a while, we'll see a resurgence because of perfect weather conditions and there will be fireflies all over and that's what we're seeing this year," Abraham said.

How they work: Fireflies lay their eggs in moist soil and leaf litter.

They emerge in the spring and early summer.

Once they reach adulthood later in the summer, their sole focus is to reproduce and then, after a couple of weeks to months (depending on the species), they die.

Threat level: A late freeze can kill larvae after they've emerged, but a hot, dry spring can dry them up.

"We had a mild, moist spring, and they had a really good larval stage," Abraham said.

Zoom out: Much of the country had a warmer, wetter spring than usual.

Zoom in: Chicagoans are delighting in the childlike wonder of spotting the insects in city limits, Block Club reported. 

Fun facts: There are more than 2,000 species of fireflies, and they produce light in different ways.

Fireflies are neither bugs nor flies. They're beetles.

State of play: Like many animals, fireflies have been impacted by humans.

Light pollution confuses the mating process, making it harder for mating fireflies to see the blinking pattern that attracts them to each other.

We've also encroached on their habitats. Pesticide use in home yards and on farms has decimated insect populations beyond those targeted by the chemicals.

How to help: Here are a few ways to support the firefly population and encourage more to light up your neighborhood.

"Firefly larvae eat snails, slugs and small caterpillars," said Emily Justus, outreach coordinator at Purdue University's entomology department. "Protecting habitats that support those populations could help you with your fireflies."

The bottom line: "Everybody loves them," Justus said. "I think it's the lighting up at night and their association with summer — it being warm outside and fireflies are glowing. It creates such an ambience."

Yes, Chicago fireflies are real

Thanks to a mild, moist spring, fireflies are thriving in Chicago. Here's how to help them stick around.

Illustration of fireflies lighting up and cutting out.

Black background with cluster of yellow dots

No need to head to rural Wisconsin. We&#x27;ve got fireflies right here in Chicago. The big picture: Fireflies, or lightning bugs to many of us, are having a good year. In general, firefly populations have declined over the last 100 years, said Megan Abraham, division director and state entomologist at the Indiana Department of Natural Resources.

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The Chicago Bears are moving forward on a plan to build a new stadium in Hammond, Indiana. 

Why it matters: This is the strongest signal yet that Chicago's NFL franchise could leave Illinois.

What they're saying: "We believe a world-class stadium project in Hammond will transform the region," team leaders said in a statement after the board of directors voted Thursday to advance the project. 

"It will bring Chicagoland together and deliver new opportunities to its residents and businesses."

Context: The Illinois legislature did not pass a proposed stadium tax incentive package in its spring session. The General Assembly will not meet again until November, unless Gov. JB Pritzker calls a special session.

Indiana had already passed tax breaks to lure the Bears across the state border. 

State of play: While Indiana lawmakers are signaling a victory, it's unclear if the Bears are officially committing to a move. 

Between the lines: The Bears previously expressed similar enthusiasm for Arlington Heights, raising questions about whether Friday's statement makes Indiana the final destination or another negotiating tactic.

Zoom in: Illinois leaders stressed that negotiations remain ongoing.

"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," spokesperson Matt Hill said in a statement.

"Over the last several years, the Bears have stated their intentions in multiple jurisdictions," Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson said in a statement. "Until we see shovels in the ground in Hammond, the City will continue to engage in discussions grounded in the interests of our residents."

"Illinois remains open to ongoing efforts to secure the Bears," Illinois House Speaker Chris Welch said in a statement. "However, it'll take time to get it right."

Meanwhile, Indiana officials celebrated the vote. 

"Welcome to Indiana!" Gov. Mike Braun said in a statement. "An NFL franchise in Northwest Indiana will be an economic boost to the entire region like we haven't seen before."

"The Bears join a long line of companies and residents choosing Indiana to invest, grow and pursue opportunity, and I look forward to many more making that choice," House Speaker Todd Huston said in a statement. 

The intrigue: NFL teams often play outside their namesake cities. Playing in another state is far less common.

The biggest example is MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, where the New York Giants and Jets play. 

The Washington Commanders play in Landover, Maryland, but are planning a new stadium in D.C. 

The bottom line: The Bears are signaling that Indiana is now the preferred path, though a final decision remains unresolved.

National

Chicago Bears advance plan to leave Illinois for Indiana

It's unclear if this is the final decision, and Illinois leaders stressed that negotiations are ongoing.

Photo of a football stadium with a city skyline in background. 

The Chicago Bears are moving forward on a plan to build a new stadium in Hammond, Indiana. Why it matters: This is the strongest signal yet that Chicago&#x27;s NFL franchise <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="could leave Illinois" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/06/01/illinois-lawmakers-budget-bears-stadium-deal-taxes-gas-cell-phone-ban" data-vars-content-id="8106dd5a-ced0-4427-9ab6-ddc63df0fa99" data-vars-headline="Chicago Bears advance plan to leave Illinois for Indiana" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/06/01/illinois-lawmakers-budget-bears-stadium-deal-taxes-gas-cell-phone-ban" target="_self">could leave Illinois</a>.

The Indiana Legislature has passed a bill creating a commission to study the Indiana/Illinois boundary in the hope of stealing away several downstate Illinois counties.

Why it matters: The legislation, which Indiana Gov. Mike Braun is expected to sign, is a step forward for the separatist movement in Illinois. Voters in downstate Republican counties have shown dissatisfaction with the Democratic majority in Illinois, saying the current state government doesn't reflect their values.

The intrigue: Indiana's GOP seems hell-bent on exploring the idea of absorbing downstate Illinois counties that have recently passed ballot referendums looking to break from Illinois, even if Illinois' Democrat-majority General Assembly wants no part of it.

The latest version of the bill, which received final passage Thursday, makes Illinois' participation voluntary instead of mandatory.

What they're saying: "That's their choice, whether they want to participate or not," Indiana House Speaker Todd Huston, R-Fishers, said after the vote.

Zoom in: Gov. JB Pritzker has waved off the attempt as a stunt, but downstate Republicans like Rep. Brad Halbrook (R-Shelbyville) want the state to take it seriously.

He authored a bill to appoint Illinois representatives to the Indiana panel, but Democrats in the Illinois House have quashed it.

"Indiana is doing its part to facilitate the wishes of these rural residents. It is time for the Illinois Legislature to do the same," Halbrook tells Axios. "The only reason for Democrats to oppose this idea is simple vindictiveness."

Between the lines: Halbrook suggests it could be a win for Illinois Democrats, who could redraw the state to help elect more Democrats to Congress.

But losing Republican-majority counties could set back the Illinois GOP, which is trying to claw its way back to statewide offices.

State of play: The separatist movement has passed referendums in 33 Illinois counties (out of 102).

Reality check: Though the Illinois movement has generally centered on splitting from Cook County, Huston sees an opportunity to expand Indiana's borders.

"I think it's been a great opportunity to talk about all the great things going on in Indiana, and to say, look, you know, we'd love to have that conversation," Huston said.

Yes, but: Don't expect new state borders anytime soon.

Halbrook's companion bill has little chance of moving forward in Illinois.

If the Indiana commission recommends stealing Illinois counties, it would have to be approved by a majority vote in the Illinois Legislature, which also isn't likely.

If that happened, it would go to a vote in the U.S. Congress.

A picture of the Indianapolis skyline with the letters IND

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Indiana passes bill to court Illinois counties

A new commission will study reestablishing the Illinois/Indiana border.

Animated illustration of the state of Indiana eating parts of Illinois like Pac-man.

The Indiana Legislature has passed a bill creating a commission to study the Indiana/Illinois boundary in the hope of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="stealing away" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/01/15/indiana-bill-targets-illinois-counties" data-vars-content-id="a3547661-bf5b-43ef-82d4-885f725b6c19" data-vars-headline="Indiana passes bill to court Illinois counties" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/01/15/indiana-bill-targets-illinois-counties" target="_self">stealing away</a> several downstate Illinois counties.Why it matters: The legislation, which Indiana Gov. Mike Braun is expected to sign, is a step forward for the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="separatist movement" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2024/12/04/illinois-counties-vote-state-split-separatist-new" data-vars-content-id="a3547661-bf5b-43ef-82d4-885f725b6c19" data-vars-headline="Indiana passes bill to court Illinois counties" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2024/12/04/illinois-counties-vote-state-split-separatist-new" target="_self">separatist movement</a> in Illinois. Voters in downstate Republican counties have shown dissatisfaction with the Democratic majority in Illinois, saying the current state government doesn&#x27;t reflect their values.

Arika Herron

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