(KWQC) - The news that the Chicago Bears might leave Illinois has people talking, and everyone seems to have a strong opinion about it.
After Illinois lawmakers failed to help pay for a new stadium, the Bears’ bosses voted on Thursday to try to build one in Hammond, Ind., instead. The team says a stadium there would be great for both Indiana and Chicago.
The news that the Chicago Bears might leave Illinois has people talking, and everyone seems to...
The news that the Chicago Bears might leave Illinois has people talking, and everyone seems to have a strong opinion about it.(KWQC)
But back in Illinois, people are really divided on the idea:
Disappointed Fans: Some fans are sad to see the team leave their home state. They’re saying the team’s famous founder, George Halas, would be “rolling in his grave.” Others are blaming Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and other politicians for “dropping the ball” and letting the team walk away.
Relieved Taxpayers: On the other hand, many taxpayers are just happy they won’t have to pay for a billionaire team’s new stadium. As one person put it: “The games are still close enough to go to, but we don’t have to foot the bill. Good luck with the taxes, Indiana!”
The Jokesters: Of course, people are already making jokes about the name. Since Hammond is right on the border, some are calling them the “East Chicago Bears.” Others pointed out that plenty of NFL teams don’t actually play in their namesake cities — like the New York Giants and Jets, who play in New Jersey.
And, of course, one poster was anxiously waiting for the first person to threaten to burn their jersey.
Right now, nothing is set in stone. The Bears have been looking at some land near Wolf Lake, but they haven’t picked an exact spot yet.
The Illinois Senate passed a bill enabling Arlington Heights and Chicago to create local stadium authorities to help the Bears avoid property taxes, but the measure died when the House adjourned without voting on it.
Despite a late-night, bipartisan vote by the Illinois Senate to approve an incentive bill, state lawmakers ultimately failed to pass the legislation encouraging the Chicago Bears to build a new stadium in Illinois.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on X that a source said that “barring anything very strange, it’s a done deal.”
The Bears’ Board of Directors voted Thursday to advance the stadium development in Hammond, Indiana, with the exact to be selected. This is this first time that the Bears’ board has voted on any stadium site.
As one source said, “There is more work to do but barring anything… pic.twitter.com/4TQTbeJKrL
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) June 5, 2026
House Speaker Emanuel Welch responded to the Bears’ announcement on Friday.
“While Indiana is willing to raise taxes and promise $1 billion in taxpayer funds, Illinois has focused on the needs of working families who want relief at the gas pump, at the store, and on their insurance bills—not taxpayer-funded stadiums. Illinois remains open to ongoing efforts to secure the Bears in Illinois. However, it will take time to get it right.”
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