The team is certainly getting the bidding war it wanted between Illinois and Indiana.
Arlington Heights officials are pushing lawmakers to approve a mega projects bill that would support large-scale developments throughout the state. It includes the Chicago Bears Development at Arlington Park.
They held a news conference Friday called "Keep the Bears in Illinois." The Arlington Heights Mayor Jim Tinaglia said the team is ready to commit billions of dollars to make the project happen.
Arlington Heights officials push to keep Bears in Illinois
"The Chicago Bears are not, capitalize not, asking for taxpayer money to build their stadium in Arlington Heights," Mayor Tinaglia said. "That's a big important piece of this puzzle."
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.
"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. Kam Buckner said.
Friday's news conference comes after NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell toured the Arlington Heights site in addition to spending time in Northwest Indiana.
During his State of the State address Wednesday night, Indiana Governor Mike Braun said he would do whatever he can to bring the Bears across state lines as a new senate bill is proposed in the state creating a possible framework for a Bears move.
The city of Gary on Friday released what it calls a "strategic roadmap for the Chicago Bears."
In a press release, the city says Indiana Senate Bill 27 would change the landscape of Indiana's bid.
"This legislation, which establishes the Northwest Indiana Stadium Authority, provides a financial framework that Illinois simply cannot match. The proposed structure creates a pathway for the team to control its own destiny without the prohibitive tax burdens and stalled infrastructure talks currently seen in Illinois," the city of Gary says.
The city of Gary also said it has identified three "Plug-and-Play" sites that are "ready for immediate development by the new Stadium Authority." Those locations are Gary West End Entertainment District, Buffington Harbor and Miller Beach.
Click here for more information on Gary's proposal.
Of course, Mayor Brandon Johnson is also maintaining his desire to keep the Bears here at Soldier Field in Chicago.