Jan 18, 2026; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears tight end Cole Kmet (85) celebrates with wide receiver Olamide Zaccheaus (14) after catching a fourteen-yard touchdown pass against the Los Angeles Rams with eighteen seconds remaining in the fourth quarter of an NFC Divisional Round game at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images
NFL: NFC Divisional Round-Los Angeles Rams at Chicago Bears
(Arlington Heights, IL) — The tug-of-war for a new Bears stadium is being played out over three different states now. Supporters of a new stadium in the northwest Illinois suburb of Arlington Heights held a press conference this week. They are hoping to persuade the bears owners they are the best new home for the famed football team.
Illinois state lawmakers are trying to do everything to create tax breaks that will convince the team to stay in the state and not too far from Chicago. The Bears organization would like to see the passage of the Mega Projects Bill that would give them a tax assessment freeze.
Meanwhile, the cities of Gary and Portage in Indiana along with Des Moines, Iowa are also showing interest in becoming the new home of Chicago’s NFL franchise. Iowa lawmakers introduced a bill this week that is designed to fund an NFL stadium in Des Moines. Last month, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell joined Bears President Kevin Warren and Chairman George McCaskey on tours in Indiana.
