The Chicago Bears are in a race to get the PILOT (or Megaprojects) bill passed by the Illinois state government before the May 31st deadline, when the legislature adjourns. Multiple factions are fighting in these negotiations, trying to steer which direction the money from such a bill will flow. It was here that the Cook County treasurer, Maria Pappas. Her office conducted an in-depth study of the potential economic impact of such a bill, were it to pass. The findings made were interesting.
As things stand, the Bears would pay $39 million less in taxes if the bill passes. Since they plan to invest over $1 billion in the property, the bill would grant them a tax freeze for up to 40 years. That means a property tax of less than $4 million per year and a potential savings of $1.5 billion overall. Yet the biggest bombshell came towards the end of the study. Pappas stated that it might actually be in the state’s best interests to let the Bears move to Hammond, Indiana. Since it is closer to Chicago than Arlington Heights, it would still bring economic benefits to the city while having Indiana foot the infrastructure bill.
“It’s also worth noting that a Bears stadium in Hammond would be just 20 miles from Soldier Field, compared to the 38-mile distance from the city to Arlington Heights,” the study said. “As a result, a stadium in Hammond would still produce economic benefits for Chicago and the state of Illinois — with Indiana taxpayers picking up the $1 billion tab to subsidize the development.”
The Chicago Bears stadium situation may have just shifted.
If Illinois politicians saw this study, it might convince them that letting the Bears go to Indiana might not be the worst thing after all. They wouldn’t have to give up $1 billion to help build out the infrastructure in Arlington Heights, but still reap some of the rewards once they do build a complex in Hammond. Given how greedy we know this state government to be, it wouldn’t be a surprise if they lose their sense of urgency to get the bill passed by the end of the week, knowing it would likely force the Bears to decide that Indiana is their goal.
It would be a brutal outcome for Arlington Heights. They are banking on that stadium project and the businesses it is expected to attract to provide economic help to their township. If the Bears move to Indiana, it leaves that massive Arlington Racecourse property barren and unused. The town received around $3.2 million in property taxes each year, which helped both the local government and public school districts. All of that money goes out the window if the Bears don’t build there.
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There is no politics involved in this.
The study was meant to be nothing more than gathering information. Straight facts. What other people do with it isn’t the treasurer’s responsibility. What we can say for certain is we know why the Chicago Bears want that bill passed. It provides them with financial security over a 40-year period, allowing them to build the stadium without piling on debt. The entire goal of this venture was to increase their profitability. A state-of-the-art stadium that can host all sorts of events year-round does that.
May 31st is the date to circle. Fittingly, it’s a Sunday. If the bill isn’t passed by then, there is a strong likelihood it won’t be passed for the rest of 2026. If that proves the case, the Bears moving to Indiana becomes a near certainty. Arlington Heights leaders will undoubtedly push hard to prevent it. They know the stakes. They will take a severe economic hit if this stadium doesn’t get built. Hammond, on the other hand, may get resurrected from the grave after years of sitting in an industrial wasteland.
