Iowa state senators have stepped into the ongoing Chicago Bears stadium negotiations as the NFL team and the state of Illinois have yet to finalize plans for a new stadium. With discussions still active in Illinois and Indiana also making offers, Iowa introduced Senate File 2252 to explore incentives for building an NFL stadium within the state, aiming to capitalize on the opportunity presented by the Bears’ uncertain stadium future.
The Chicago Bears, stationed in Illinois since 1920 and at Soldier Field since 1971, are currently evaluating locations for their new home, including Arlington Heights—where they purchased Arlington Park—and areas in Northwest Indiana. As Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and Bears leadership continue talks, Iowa lawmakers see potential economic benefits that could come from hosting the team.
Iowa’s Legislative Approach to Attract the Bears
Senate File 2252, sponsored by seven Iowa state senators including Mike Bousselot, Dan Dawson, Kerry Gruenhagen, Dawn Driscoll, Scott Webster, Cherielynn Westrich, and Carrie Koelker, intends to extend an existing developmental program to support NFL stadium construction. Bousselot, who is from Rock Island, Illinois, and now represents Ankeney, expressed to FOX 32,
“This gets Iowa in the game,”
signaling the state’s official entry into the competition.
Unlike Illinois, whose support appears tentative, and Indiana, which proposes a public stadium authority to finance parts of the project with the Bears paying rent, Iowa has yet to present a formal proposal or hold direct discussions with Bears CEO Kevin Warren. Bousselot stated that Iowa’s efforts are motivated by economic development prospects rather than immediate commitments.
Certainly, the Bears prompted it and the state of Illinois prompted it,
Bousselot remarked,
Governor Pritzker and the state of Illinois have waffled on supporting the Chicago Bears. The state of Indiana took action to get into that conversation. The state of Iowa said, ‘Hey, why not us?’
Differences in Regional Proposals and Economic Incentives
Indiana’s approach involves creating a public stadium authority to fund all or part of the stadium construction, differing significantly from Illinois’ proposals where the financing framework remains less certain. Iowa lawmakers are using this competitive dynamic among states to position their own incentives, banking on the considerable economic impact an NFL franchise can bring.
Bousselot emphasized the economic advantages seen in other NFL relocations:
When you see an opportunity on the NFL side, the amount of economic impact that the Chicago Bears or NFL organizations make is enormous. Look at what the Kansas City Chiefs are doing, for example, and moving to Kansas and Kansas and their legislature got involved in that to help bring that investment to Kansas.
The senators sponsoring the bill have a history of supporting tax cuts and economic development in Iowa. Bousselot noted,
It’s a group of senators who look at it and who’ve been a part of cutting taxes and making Iowa a great state for economic development and said, why not?
Current Progress and Responses from Illinois Officials
The stadium deal negotiations between the Chicago Bears and Illinois lawmakers are reportedly approaching agreement on several key points, which would facilitate a stadium project in Arlington Heights, sources close to the talks say. The legislation introduced by Iowa lawmakers has passed out of subcommittee and is expected to advance further this week, but the Bears’ ultimate decision remains critical.
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker has maintained a cautious stance, telling reporters on February 9,
We’re in consistent conversation with the Chicago Bears,
adding,
The most important point I would make is we’re not going to do anything that’s bad for the taxpayers.
Simultaneously, local officials in Cook County continue to weigh supporting the stadium through public spending. Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle said she would support a deal if backed by the governor, while Alderman Brendan Reilly stressed the importance of retaining the Bears, calling the prospect of their departure to Indiana horrendous.
The Significance of Iowa’s Offer and Regional Fanbase Considerations
While Iowa has not yet directly engaged with Bears management, including CEO Kevin Warren, the bill’s sponsors view the Bears as an attractive addition that aligns with Iowa’s enthusiasm for sports, including recent support for women’s basketball and Hawkeye football. Bousselot highlighted the region’s affinity for the team and its proximity to Illinois, asserting that moving the Bears to Iowa would not place them in unfamiliar territory.
We’re very close in terms of, obviously, adjacent in proximity, a ton of Bears fans and NFL fans, and we’ve got the business and economic environment that would be beneficial to the organization, to the players and to the staff and to for great investment.
Bousselot said.
The senators involved represent communities including Council Bluffs, Walcott, Williamsburg, Bettendorf, Ankeney, Ottumwa, and Dyersville, signaling statewide interest in leveraging the NFL franchise for broader economic growth.
Outlook on Stadium Decision and Regional Competition
As Illinois, Indiana, and now Iowa compete for the Bears’ stadium deal, the final outcome will depend largely on the Bears’ evaluation of financial, infrastructure, and community support factors. While Illinois continues to negotiate with the franchise, Iowa’s legislative move signals a strategic bid to join the conversation and attract a major professional sports presence.
For Iowa, landing the Bears would represent a significant development opportunity with lasting economic and cultural impacts, particularly as team relocations and stadium investments remain a prominent trend across the NFL and professional sports at large.
