Gov. JB Pritzker said at the Oct. 13 gubernatorial debate he will push Bears stadium legislation during the fall veto session. He said he expects lawmakers to act after the Nov. 3 election to keep the team in Illinois.

The stadium debate has a local connection in Lake Forest, home to the Bears’ headquarters and practice facility at Halas Hall. The team reaffirmed on Feb. 20 that Halas Hall will stay in Lake Forest regardless of where a new stadium is built, according to the Chicago Tribune.

Republican challenger Darren Bailey disagreed. He claimed Indiana Gov. Mike Braun had already assured him the Bears are headed to Hammond.

"I'm just glad I'm not going to be known as the governor that lost the Bears," Bailey said during the hourlong WTTW forum, as first reported by the Chicago Tribune. "It's already done."

Pritzker countered that he believes lawmakers can reach a deal in November to keep the Bears in Illinois without burdening taxpayers. He pointed to an Oct. 1 meeting with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, Bears minority owner Pat Ryan and legislative leaders as evidence that talks are progressing.

Pritzker points to Oct. 1 talks

House Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch, state Sen. Bill Cunningham and state Rep. Kam Buckner attended the Oct. 1 session with Goodell and Ryan, according to the governor's office. The NFL said in a statement that "timely action is essential" as the Bears seek a long-term stadium solution.

After the debate, Pritzker told reporters the proposed legislation would give the Bears the option of staying in Chicago or developing the former Arlington International Raceway property in Arlington Heights. The team purchased that 326-acre site for $197 million in 2023.

The latest proposal under discussion would shift away from the property-tax-break model the Bears previously sought. Instead, the team would finance construction and lease the stadium from a public entity created by Arlington Heights, according to Bisnow, which cited Crain's Chicago Business reporting.

Indiana's offer still on the table

The Bears' board of directors voted June 4 to advance their stadium project in Hammond after the Illinois House adjourned May 31 without voting on a bill the team wanted. Indiana Gov. Mike Braun signed legislation on Feb. 26 outlining a financial framework for a Hammond stadium. Under that plan, the Bears would invest more than $2 billion while Indiana would contribute roughly $1 billion through several taxes, according to Bisnow.

Bears Chairman George McCaskey described discussions with Illinois lawmakers as "minimal" during an Aug. 13 press conference at Halas Hall, according to the Bears' website. CEO Kevin Warren said at the same event that the team's "sole focus" was Hammond.

But the Oct. 1 meeting with Goodell signaled a shift. Sources familiar with the discussion told WBEZ there was no major breakthrough but some optimism that common ground could be found before the veto session.

What's next

The Illinois Legislature's fall veto session runs Nov. 17-19 and Dec. 1-3. The Illinois House and Senate passed competing stadium-related packages during the spring session but never agreed on the same legislation.

The Bears remain under lease at Soldier Field until 2033.