Chicago Bears: New hurdle emerges after Illinois passes bill to help stadium

The Chicago Bears have been waiting for Illinois lawmakers to pass megaproject legislation that would aid the team in its effort to build a new stadium in Arlington Heights.

Amid issues with Illinois, the Bears have been proactive in meeting with local officials in Hammond, Indiana, to build a stadium in the Northwest part of the state.

The Bears are set to meet with the NFL stadium committee on Monday to provide updates on their plans for a new stadium.

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker put pressure on lawmakers to make progress with the bill, and some momentum was gained on Wednesday night when the megaproject bill passed the House.

Per Brenden Moore of Capitol Hill Illinois, the Illinois House voted 78-32 in favor of approving the bill. However, Moore suggested more trouble could be on the horizon as the bill heads to the Senate. The Senate is expected to make changes to the bill, which will elongate the process and could cause issues for the Bears.

“Breaking: The Illinois House votes 78-32 to approve a megaprojects bill that could clear the way for the Chicago Bears to build a new domed stadium in Arlington Heights,” Moore posted on X. “A major sign of progress, but hurdles remain. The bill goes to the Senate, where it will likely be amended.”