TOO LATE AND TOO COSTLY: Illinois Locks In 40 Year Tax Risk to Save the Bears While Indiana Waits to Take Them

After months of hesitation, a last second deal could leave families paying billions, even as the Bears signal the offer still is not good enough

By Staff Writer | April 23, 2026

Illinois lawmakers just passed a bill that could lock families into higher taxes for the next 40 years.

They did it without securing a deal.

And the Chicago Bears can still leave.

In a last-minute push led by Governor JB Pritzker and the Democratic supermajority, the Illinois House approved HB910, known as the Mega Projects Bill. The legislation is designed to keep the Bears in Illinois, but it comes after months of hesitation as the team openly explored leaving the state.

During that time, Illinois waited while Indiana built a plan.

Just days ago, a FactsFirstUS investigation warned that Illinois families could see property taxes rise sharply as state leaders scrambled to respond to the possibility of the Bears leaving.
Read the full report here:
https://factsfirstus.com/post/illinois-property-taxes-could-double-as-pritzker-administration-scrambles-after-bears-deal-breakdowns

Now that warning has turned into action.

And what happens next is far less certain.

For months, the warning signs were clear. The Bears were exploring alternatives, including a serious look at Indiana. Critics say Illinois leadership failed to act when it mattered most.

While Illinois hesitated, Indiana moved aggressively. Officials there advanced incentives, built a framework, and made it clear they were ready to welcome the team.

By the time Illinois entered serious negotiations, the balance had already shifted.

The state was no longer negotiating from strength.

It was trying to catch up.

Critics argue that delay may have made the deal more expensive, forcing lawmakers into a position where more risk had to be placed on taxpayers just to stay in the game.

At the center of that effort is HB910, a bill that allows large scale developments, including a proposed Bears stadium in Arlington Heights, to negotiate long term property tax structures that may reduce their burden.

Supporters point to economic development and job creation.

Critics point to who ultimately pays.

Because even now, after the vote, one fact has not changed.

There is still no deal with the Bears.

That reality became impossible to ignore after the House passed the bill.

“We welcome the progress made on the House’s version of the mega project bill. However, additional amendments are necessary to make the Arlington Heights site feasible for our stadium project.”

That is not an endorsement.

It is not a commitment.

It is the Bears making one thing clear.

The deal, as written, is still not good enough.

Illinois has moved forward.

Taxpayers may carry the cost.

And the team at the center of it all is still weighing its options, including leaving for Indiana.

The response from opponents was immediate and blunt.

“This bill is one of the most dangerous property tax bills passed in recent history.”

The Illinois Freedom Caucus did not soften its language as it described what it believes is happening.

“Gives mega projects and billionaire corporations hundreds of millions of dollars in property tax breaks, while shifting the burden to local property owners. The result is taxing people out of their homes and decimating middle class families.”

They made their position unmistakable.

“Bailouts for billion-dollar corporations on the backs of working families and taxpayers are completely unacceptable.”

That concern is now being echoed beyond Springfield.

Republican gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey warned that the impact could extend further than many realize.

“The Bears megaproject bill brings a new 9 percent tax burden for Illinois taxpayers.”

That figure refers to additional taxes and fees tied to proposed project zones, which critics say could increase costs on everyday activities connected to the development, from tickets and events to nearby entertainment tied to the stadium area.

“We should not have to subsidize billion-dollar stadiums with a permanent tax on our own family fun.”

He also cited estimates suggesting the plan could create roughly 300 million dollars per year in additional pressure on property taxpayers.

Not once.

Every year.

Then came the vote that is now drawing scrutiny across the state.

The bill passed with Democratic support and the help of Republican lawmakers.

Cabello
Coffey
Amy Elik
Bradley Fritts
McLaughlin
Sanalitro
Schmidt
Schweizer
Sheeman
Stephens

These are lawmakers who have repeatedly told voters they are fighting high property taxes.

Now they are being asked to explain votes critics say could increase that burden for decades.

One name stands out.

State Representative Mike Coffey has often spoken about the strain property taxes place on families.

This vote, critics argue, may do exactly what he has warned against.

Some lawmakers did not vote at all, including State Representative Jeff Keicher and Republican leader Tony McCombie, adding to growing frustration among constituents.

That frustration is not limited to lawmakers.

The reaction from Illinois residents has been immediate and emotional.

“I hope the Bears leave anyway.”
Debbie Casteel

“Strange how the state can pass a bill to give the Bears property tax relief but not pass any kind of bill to give homeowners property tax relief.”
Cookie Davis

“Remember this when they are up for reelection.”
Tina Siciliano Baxa

“Bears gonna move to Indiana. Better incentives all around. This is just another way to raise taxes. If it passes and bears move you know they will not rescind the tax.”
Patricia Doyle

For many families, the concern is simple.

They may be asked to pay for something they may never receive.

And even now, despite everything that has happened, this is not over.

The bill now moves to the Illinois Senate, where it is expected to be taken up in the coming days. If it passes there, it will go to Governor JB Pritzker for final approval.

That means the outcome is not final.

But the window to change it is closing.

The Bears have not committed.

Indiana is still waiting.

And no one can say how this ends.

What is becoming clearer is what happens if it fails.

If the Bears leave, the deal does not leave with them.

The taxes remain.

The structure remains.

The obligation remains.

And the people paying for it were never guaranteed anything in return.

Illinois waited.

Then Illinois paid.

And now Illinois risks paying for something it may never get.

The state moved.

The bill passed.

The risk shifted to taxpayers.

And the one thing it was supposed to secure is still not guaranteed.

Because even now, after everything,

the deal is not good enough.

Just ask the Bears.

Sources

• Illinois General Assembly HB910 Bill Text and Legislative Summary

• Illinois General Assembly Roll Call Records for HB910

• Office of Governor JB Pritzker Official Statements and Press Releases

• Chicago Bears Official Organizational Statement on Stadium Development

• Illinois Freedom Caucus Official Statement on HB910

• Public Statements from Darren Bailey

• Illinois General Assembly Member Voting Records

• State of Indiana Economic Development Announcements Related to Stadium Proposals