Two New Illinois Sites Enter Chicago Bears Stadium Race as Saga Continues

The competition to land the Chicago Bears' future home just got more crowded. Two new Illinois locations have formally thrown their hats into the ring to host the team's new stadium, adding fresh urgency to a saga that has already seen multiple proposals, a stalled state legislature, and growing pressure from neighboring Indiana.

McCook Makes Its Pitch

McCook Mayor Terry Carr has emerged as one of the most vocal new voices in the stadium debate, putting forward a proposal to build on a 150-acre former quarry site near the corner of 55th Street and East Avenue, operated by Vulcan Materials Company. The site sits just west of the McCook Reservoir and the Des Plaines River, with access to multiple Stevenson Expressway exits, the Metra BNSF line to the north, and the Heritage Corridor to the east and south.

In an effort to sweeten the deal, Carr has said the village would give the Bears the land for free, charge just $1 a year in rent, and cover property taxes if the team builds there.

"We want them to stay in Illinois. It's an Illinois team," Carr said. "I don't think the Bears want to go to Indiana… deep down I think that the Bears want to stay in Illinois, and we're one path to keep them here."

Carr confirmed his consultant has already delivered plans to the Bears, though the team has not yet responded. One notable limitation is the site's size — at 150 acres, it is less than half the 325-acre parcel the Bears previously purchased in Arlington Heights before those plans collapsed.

Chicago Also Reasserts Its Case

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has continued to insist that the city itself remains the only Illinois location with a concrete plan to keep the Bears in state, positioning Chicago as the premier alternative to any suburban or out-of-state option.

Springfield in the Background

The new pitches arrive as Illinois Governor JB Pritzker signals he is prepared to call a special legislative session to advance a stadium financing bill, though he has placed the onus squarely on the Bears organization to get specific about what provisions they need.

"They have lobbyists who can help them write those provisions," Pritzker said. "They need to go and talk to people about the various provisions to get support for it."

The urgency is real: Indiana has already passed its own legislation designed to lure the Bears across the state line, raising the stakes for Illinois officials and local communities alike.

What Comes Next

With McCook, Chicago, and previously discussed sites all in contention, the Bears face an increasingly complex menu of options. Whether the team engages seriously with newer proposals like McCook's — or whether Springfield can advance a bill that makes Illinois competitive with Indiana's offer — will likely determine whether one of the NFL's most storied franchises stays home or relocates.