Illinois, Indiana Continue Competing Bids to Land Chicago Bears Stadium

Indiana Gov. Mike Braun and Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker are both engaged in competing efforts to attract a new stadium for the Chicago Bears, with Indiana promoting a potential site in Hammond. Braun said Indiana remains open to further discussions on a stadium deal and argued his state is at least as close as Illinois to securing an agreement with the team, despite the Bears' previously stated but expired "late spring/early summer" deadline for a decision. Pritzker disputed Braun's characterization, rejecting the claim that Indiana was ahead of Illinois in the competition. Separately, Pritzker said he remains open to convening a special legislative session in Illinois this summer if state lawmakers and the Bears can reach an agreement on stadium terms. He also called on the team to clarify what it is specifically requesting from Illinois lawmakers before any session is scheduled. Indiana Republican Sen. Jim Banks criticized Pritzker over the negotiations, suggesting that losing the Bears to Indiana could become a defining part of the Illinois governor's legacy. As of the most recent reporting, no final decision had been made on the stadium's location, and the Bears had not publicly confirmed a preferred state or site. It remains unresolved whether Indiana's Hammond proposal or an Illinois-based plan is more advanced, as the two governors offered conflicting assessments of each state's standing. Also unresolved is whether the Bears will provide the clarification Pritzker requested, and whether Illinois lawmakers will convene a special session before a final agreement is reached.