IL House Approves Bears Megaproject Legislation, Moves On To Senate: Report

SPRINGFIELD, IL — An amended megaproject bill intended to keep the Chicago Bears in Illinois, and build a new stadium in Arlington Heights specifically, was approved by the Illinois House Wednesday night be a vote of 78-32.

HB910 now moves on to the Senate for a vote, which reconvenes next week.

The bill, which the House Revenue and Finance Committee passed earlier in the day by a 15-5 vote, would give the team a long-term tax break at the former Arlington International Racecourse property reports the Daily Herald.

RELATED: Bears Stadium Decision Nears End Zone, Chicago Sites Not 'Feasible' — ESPN

Earlier this month, ESPN reported a decision on where the Bears will build a new fixed-roof stadium was forthcoming.

"If Illinois doesn't pass legislation for Arlington Heights soon, sources believe the Bears are likely to be Indiana bound," said Adam Schefter, ESPN senior NFL Insider, on April 6.

Schefter said two proposed sites for a new stadium in Chicago are not considered "feasible," according to league sources he had spoken to.

RELATED: Indiana Governor Signs New Stadium Bill As IL Lawmakers Adjourn

HB910 allows for any megaproject involving an investment of $500 million or more to negotiate a freeze on its property tax assessment. The bill, which has stalled since first being introduced in 2024, moved forward after the passage of legislation in Indiana intended to lure the Bears out of Illinois.

In February, Bears brass said the organization's stadium focus had shifted from the proposed redevelopment plan at the former Arlington Park racetrack location to building one near the Wolf Lake area in Hammond, Indiana.

Last month, Indiana Gov. Mike Braun signed off on Senate Bill 27, which passed the state's senate by a vote of 45-4 after being advanced by the Indiana House of Representatives by a 95-4 vote. The bill is intended for the state to commit up to $1 billion to help finance the project in Hammond.

RELATED: Bears Shift Stadium Focus To Indiana As IL Lawmakers Cancel Project Meeting — Team

The bill would create the Northwest Indiana Stadium Authority to facilitate building a new stadium by enabling the authority to acquire land, issue long-term bonds and finance constructio

"We made it clear from the beginning that Indiana is open for business," Braun said after signing the bill. "I'm thrilled to sign Senate Bill 27 to create the framework to build a new world-class stadium in Northwest Indiana. Now let's get this across the goal line."

Illinois lawmakers, including Gov. JB Pritzker, have repeatedly said that the legislative maneuvers happening in Indiana do not necessarily mean the team is moving there.

In February 2023, the Bears closed on a $197.2 million property agreement to buy the 326-acre property that housed the former racetrack in Arlington Heights.