The Chicago Bears appear to have settled into one of three possibilities for their new stadium. One is, of course, Arlington Heights. They own the massive 326-acre property and now have advantageous taxes on their side. Another is their preferred option, the museum campus south of Soldier Field. Another is the Michael Reese Hospital site, which was originally deemed too narrow but has undergone a re-evaluation. No other possibilities have surfaced for months.
Until now.
Democratic House Representative Earl Harris is proposing a bill to lure a professional sports team to northwest Indiana. The Bears are the big fish he’s trying to entice. That region has undergone a lot of renovation along the lakefront. Only one thing is missing in their eyes. Nabbing a top sports franchise like the Bears would be a coup. They believe the money can be found to make it happen.
The bill’s author, State Rep. Earl Harris, D-East Chicago, said the commission would explore attracting professional football, baseball, basketball, hockey or soccer teams. But, since the Chicago Bears have been looking for a new home, Harris said when he proposed the bill in the 2024 session it got attention then as a possible new location for the team.
“The Bears are the big boy, so that has received the most attention. Honestly, I would love it if the Bears moved their location over to Northwest Indiana, but we are open to any sport,” Harris said.
The Chicago Bears would be following the Giants’ example here.
While they are technically called the New York Giants, they played their home games in New Jersey. It would be the same situation here. They’d still be the Chicago Bears but would play their games in northwest Indiana, which is in the same media market. Is it possible? Well, anything is, but realistically, this seems unlikely. Team president Kevin Warren has made it crystal clear whenever asked that his goal is to keep the Bears in the city of Chicago. That skyline shot on primetime games is something he wants to preserve. It is about finding common ground with the state government on some sort of public funding.
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Perhaps he could use this offer from Harris as some added leverage. Governor Pritzker may balk at the idea of the Bears outright leaving the state. Other than that, it feels like this is purely an emergency option. It would have to take an insanely lucrative proposal to make it happen.
