Two New Stadium Sites Proposed to Keep the Chicago Bears in Illinois

The long-running Chicago Bears stadium saga has taken another dramatic turn.

As speculation continues surrounding the franchise’s future home, two new stadium locations have emerged as potential alternatives that could keep the Bears in Illinois rather than allowing them to relocate across the state line to Indiana. One proposal would keep the team within the city limits of Chicago, while the other would place a new stadium just outside the city in the suburb of McCook.

With the Bears continuing to evaluate their options, both proposals have added fresh momentum to one of the most closely watched development debates in Illinois.

South Works Site Offers a New Vision for Chicago

The first proposal comes from Illinois State Representative Curtis Tarver, who is advocating for the former South Works industrial site on Chicago’s Southeast Side.

According to reports from WGN News, Tarver believes the location could provide a compelling alternative to both Arlington Heights and Hammond, Indiana.

The former steel mill property sits along Lake Michigan and offers a significant amount of available land for a stadium and surrounding entertainment district. Tarver argues that the site not only keeps the Bears in Illinois but also creates an opportunity to stimulate economic growth in an area of Chicago that has long been targeted for redevelopment.

“If Hammond is considered viable despite being just across the border, why not look at a location that keeps the economic benefits inside Chicago and Illinois?” Tarver suggested.

The proposal aligns with broader redevelopment efforts already underway on the Southeast Side. Major infrastructure and technology projects have begun transforming parts of the area, including the recently launched Quantum Shore development, a futuristic technology campus that broke ground in October.

Supporters believe a Bears stadium could accelerate investment, create jobs, and help establish an entirely new entertainment district along the lakefront.

Challenges Remain

Despite its potential, the South Works proposal faces several obstacles.

Part of the original property has already been allocated for other development projects, reducing the amount of available land. In addition, transportation logistics, environmental reviews, and infrastructure planning would require extensive study before any stadium project could move forward.

Nevertheless, the location offers several advantages:

• Direct access to major highways.
• Existing public transportation connections.
• Proximity to downtown Chicago.
• Lakefront views and development opportunities.
• Economic benefits that would remain within Illinois.

Notably, the site sits only a few miles from the Indiana border, making it geographically similar to Hammond while preserving Chicago’s tax revenue and economic impact.

Bears Still Evaluating Their Options

Although the Bears have publicly indicated that they are focusing on Arlington Heights and Hammond, the final decision has not yet been made.

The organization recently stated that it remains committed to evaluating both locations before announcing its future plans.

Political leaders have also suggested that conversations between the Bears and the City of Chicago have continued behind the scenes, despite previous reports indicating otherwise.

As a result, Chicago remains very much in the running.

McCook Makes Its Pitch

The second proposal comes from the Village of McCook, a small suburb located southwest of downtown Chicago.

Mayor Terrence Carr recently announced that local officials have formally submitted a proposal encouraging the Bears to consider building a stadium in McCook.

The proposed site consists of approximately 150 acres of former quarry land located near 55th Street and East Avenue.

Currently owned by Vulcan Materials, the property has been listed for sale and sits near major transportation corridors, including Interstate 55 and Interstate 294.

While few Bears fans had previously considered McCook a realistic destination, local officials believe the site possesses several advantages.

A Blank Canvas for Development

Renderings accompanying the proposal envision a large stadium surrounded by parking facilities, entertainment venues, retail spaces, and future commercial development.

The concept closely resembles previous plans developed for Arlington Heights.

Supporters point to several strengths:

• Easy highway access.
• Close proximity to Midway International Airport.
• Significant development potential.
• Opportunity to create an entirely new sports and entertainment district.

If selected, a Bears stadium could dramatically transform McCook, increasing property values and attracting businesses to the area.

The Limitations of McCook

Despite its potential, McCook faces major hurdles.

The site is considerably smaller than Arlington Heights, which spans approximately 326 acres compared to McCook’s 150 acres.

Infrastructure would also require substantial upgrades, including:

• Expanded road networks.
• Additional hotel accommodations.
• New commercial developments.
• Enhanced public transportation access.

Furthermore, the cost of the land is reportedly approaching $160 million—nearly equivalent to what the Bears paid for the Arlington Heights property.

Many analysts believe Arlington Heights remains a stronger long-term option because much of the groundwork has already been completed.

Arlington Heights Still Appears to Be the Favorite

While both new proposals have generated excitement, Arlington Heights continues to be viewed by many observers as the most practical solution.

The Bears already own the former Arlington Park property, giving them complete control over a site that offers more than 300 acres of development space.

Compared to starting from scratch in either Chicago or McCook, Arlington Heights provides a level of certainty that few other locations can match.

Still, the emergence of these new proposals demonstrates that Illinois leaders are determined to keep the franchise within state borders.

The Future Remains Uncertain

For now, the Bears’ future home remains undecided.

Whether the team ultimately chooses Arlington Heights, a redeveloped site within Chicago, McCook, or even Hammond, Indiana, the decision will shape the franchise for decades to come.

What is clear is that Illinois officials, local governments, and community leaders are continuing to present new alternatives in hopes of preventing one of the NFL’s most historic franchises from leaving the state.

As the Bears move closer to a final decision, the battle over where the next chapter of Chicago football will be written is far from over.