April 23, 2026, 12:00 p.m. ET
Illinois lawmakers took a step late Wednesday that could keep the Bears in-state, passing an updated version of property tax legislation in a 78-32 vote.
The measure was initially introduced in the House Tuesday, including new property tax provisions aimed at winning over skeptical lawmakers and residents alike.
What’s in the amended bill?
The changes included in the legislation target worries about shifted property tax burdens to local residents and the team’s departure from Chicago’s Soldier Field, which still has nearly $500 in unpaid bonds.
While the original bill would allow the Bears or other “megaproject” developers to negotiate a payment in lieu of taxes, the amended version would contribute 50% of such payments to property tax relief. Of that amount, 60% would go to property tax rebates for homeowners residing in megaproject districts, while 40% would be deposited into the state’s existing property tax relief fund.
This incentive plan would end in five years, at which time lawmakers would revisit its effectiveness.
What happens now with the bill?
The bill will now head to the state Senate, though the question would remain about how to fund the potential stadium.
Meanwhile, Indiana lawmakers passed a bill earlier this year that would fund a new stadium in Hammond with a variety of new local taxes.
Have the Bears said anything about the Illinois bill?
The Bears provided a statement to IndyStar, but avoided directly speaking about what the legislative move means for Indiana’s own odds of luring the team.
“We welcome the progress made on the (Illinois) House’s version of the mega project bill; however, additional amendments are necessary to make the Arlington Heights site feasible for our stadium project,” spokesperson Scott Hagel told the outlet. “We support Illinois leaders as they determine the path forward to making the essential changes to the mega project bill and aligning on infrastructure funding.”
CONTRIBUTING: Brenden Moore, Illinois Capital News
