Story byArlington Heights officials to make push to keep Chicago Bears in IllinoisChristian PiekosFri, January 16, 2026 at 11:47 AM UTC·1 min readAs the Bears gear up for their big game Sunday against the Rams, the team's future home is still very much up in the air. The team is certainly getting the bidding war it wanted between Illinois and Indiana. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watchA news conference is set to take place later Friday morning in Arlington Heights. The news conference is called "Keep the Bears in Illinois" and it will focus on urging Illinois lawmakers to approve a mega project bill that would help support large scale developments throughout the state - including the Bears' development at Arlington Park. Infrastructure improvements around a new stadium would cost an estimated $855 million, which the Bears reportedly want the state to assist with. The governor and leading lawmakers have expressed a willingness to help out with infrastructure, but have made no formal commitments. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement"I hope that this can be a year where we can have a conversation, it's open, honest and transparent about how to move forward. And the Bears know now that the ball is in their court," state Rep.