Roger Goodell Confirms NFL Talks with Illinois Over Bears Stadium Plan

Roger Goodell Confirms Direct Contact With Governor Pritzker

According to comments reported by reporter Tahman Bradley during the NFL owners meeting, Goodell revealed he recently spoke directly with Illinois Governor JB Pritzker regarding the state’s legislative efforts to help the franchise secure a new stadium site in Arlington Heights. Goodell emphasized that the league’s stadium committee remains fully engaged in the ongoing evaluation process.

“We want to make sure that Arlington Heights and Illinois have an…” Goodell stated during his address to media members in Atlanta, addressing the state’s ongoing legislative push to keep the franchise within its home market. Goodell added that the Bears will ultimately have two viable stadium sites to choose from once the current exploratory phase concludes.

The Legislative Countdown and HB 910

The stadium negotiations have grown increasingly intertwined with state politics as the Illinois General Assembly approaches a critical May 31 adjournment deadline. According to reports from AS USA, HB 910, often referred to as the megaprojects bill, sits at the center of the state’s legislative efforts. The proposed legislation includes long-term property tax certainty measures and specific financial frameworks that the Bears have indicated are important for any stadium development in Arlington Heights.

Governor Pritzker has maintained a visible public posture surrounding the negotiations, recently criticizing Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson over the city’s lack of a cohesive plan to retain the team within city limits. If the megaprojects bill clears the Illinois Senate before the deadline, it will advance directly to the governor’s desk for signature, effectively resolving one of the primary financial hurdles facing the Arlington Heights project.

Weighing the Indiana Alternative

While state lawmakers in Springfield push to finalize tax stabilization terms, the franchise maintains an active alternative across state lines. Real-time reporting indicates that a competing proposal in Indiana remains under active consideration by team ownership as a viable long-term home.

Neither the franchise front office nor league headquarters have publicly designated a preferred location. However, industry expectations point toward a final decision occurring shortly after the conclusion of the Illinois legislative session on May 31, when team leadership evaluates whether state tax legislation provides sufficient stability to anchor the franchise in Arlington Heights.