City back in play for Bears?

I still suspect they'll end up in Arlington Heights. I will continue to avoid buying tickets.

City back in play for Bears?

By Monica Eng, Justin Kaufmann and Carrie Shepherd, Axios News

Oct 15, 2026

Wide view of a packed football stadium on a sunny day. Four helicopters hover in the clear blue sky. A large screen shows a red, white, and blue banner; the field features a red-and-white striped display.

A Bears-Jets game at Soldier Field in October. Photo: Courtesy of Michael Ognisanti

The Bears stadium drama picked up steam again Tuesday night after a contentious debate between Illinois' gubernatorial candidates.

Why it matters: Gov. JB Pritzker's comments appear to reopen the possibility of a stadium within city limits.

The latest: After the debate, Pritzker told reporters he hopes state lawmakers will approve a tax-incentive plan in the upcoming November veto session that could keep the Bears in Illinois — either in Arlington Heights or Chicago.

Wait, Chicago?

What they're saying: "I do think that we can give the Bears the option of being in the city of Chicago or being in Arlington Heights, and I think that's the best way to get this done," Pritzker said after the debate.

State of play: Earlier this month, Pritzker met with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, Bears minority owner Pat Ryan and Illinois legislative leaders to discuss keeping the team in Illinois.

Reality check: The Bears have indicated their focus is on Hammond, Indiana, not Chicago.

Meanwhile: Mayor Brandon Johnson isn't giving up on keeping the Bears on the lakefront.

"The city of Chicago is still the best and most viable place for the Chicago Bears to play," Johnson said at a Wednesday press conference.

Friction point: Republican challenger Darren Bailey claimed during Tuesday's debate that Indiana Gov. Mike Braun assured him the Bears' move to Indiana was already a done deal.

"I'm just glad I'm not going to be known as the governor that lost the Bears," Bailey said.