Iowa lawmakers introduced a bill Tuesday that would create a pathway for financial incentives to attract the Chicago Bears, escalating competition with Indiana for the National Football League team as it explores options beyond Illinois.
The legislation, unveiled by Republican Senator Kerry Gruenhagen, aims to position Iowa as a welcoming alternative should the Bears’ negotiations in Illinois falter. “The Chicago Bears are looking for a state that will welcome them with open arms, and this bill was a way to reveal Iowa is open for business if their home state doesn’t want them,” Gruenhagen said in a statement. She added that bringing an NFL team to Iowa would boost jobs, tourism, and showcase the state’s offerings.
The move comes as Indiana officials continue their efforts to lure the Bears to northwest Indiana. Indiana House Speaker Todd Huston (R-Fishers) is sponsoring legislation to establish the Northwest Indiana Stadium Authority, which would be empowered to acquire land, issue bonds, and finance the construction of a professional football stadium and related facilities, according to a bill endorsed by the state Senate last week.
While the Indiana Senate bill passed nearly unanimously, it does not specify the amount of taxpayer money that would be allocated to the project, nor does it detail any financial contribution expected from the Bears themselves. Lawmakers intend to conclude their 2026 session by the finish of February, leaving limited time for further debate and amendments.
Huston has prioritized discussions surrounding a potential Bears stadium deal, stating earlier this month that these conversations “need to happen quickly,” according to reports. He indicated that Governor Mike Braun’s staff has been actively involved in discussions with the team. Hammond Mayor Tom McDermott has described Indiana’s bid as “extremely serious” and has been involved in site evaluations with Bears and state officials.
The Bears publicly announced last month they were expanding their stadium search to include Indiana, a move initially viewed by some as a negotiating tactic in ongoing discussions regarding a potential stadium development in Arlington Heights, Illinois. Huston has also downplayed the urgency surrounding a potential Major League Soccer stadium in Indianapolis, stating that the timing for that project is different than the Bears’ situation.
Indiana House Speaker Todd Huston previously considered a proposal to annex counties from Illinois a year ago, signaling a willingness to aggressively pursue economic opportunities across state lines. His current focus on attracting the Bears represents a continuation of that approach.
