The Buffalo Bills unveiled their $2.1 billion Highmark Stadium this week, built just across the street from the old venue. That decision may have left the Chicago Bears in a difficult spot, according to State Senator Bill Cunningham.

“They built the new stadium across the street from the old stadium, so they did not change jurisdictions. What the Bears are trying to do is pretty unusual," said State Senator Bill Cunningham, in his conversation with NBC Chicago.

On June 5, the Bears' board voted to advance their stadium development in Hammond, Indiana, after the state approved legislation offering more than $1 billion in public incentives to bring the franchise across state lines.

"It is very difficult to pull off politically because you naturally put municipality against municipality,” said State Senator Cunningham, according to a YouTube video by @NBC Chicago.

If the Bears move from Illinois to Indiana, the massive revenue they generate from home games would effectively shift to Indiana. Illinois wouldn't just lose its NFL team; it would also lose the tax revenue, economic activity, and prestige that come with it.

That's why State Senator Bill Cunningham believes the stadium debate could turn into a municipality-versus-municipality battle.

Illinois lawmakers could point to the Buffalo Bills' new stadium, which was built just across the street from the old one, as proof that the Bears don't need to leave the state to build a new home.

While that's the heart of the debate, Illinois lawmakers have continued to make the case for keeping the Bears within their jurisdiction.

The Bills' decision to remain in the same location has strengthened Illinois' argument that the Bears can build a new stadium without moving to Indiana.

Illinois responds with new stadium alternatives

Mayor Terry Carr is pitching a 150-acre former quarry site near 55th Street and East Avenue, while State Rep. Curtis Tarver is backing a site at 85th Avenue and Lake Shore Drive on Chicago's South Side.

"We want them to stay in Illinois. It’s an Illinois team,” said Mayor Terry Carr, as per NBC. “It’s not an Indiana team. I don’t think the Bears want to go to Indiana…deep down, I think that the Bears want to stay in Illinois, and we’re one path to keep them here.”

According to the mayor, the Bears would have a perfect home there, but Vulcan Materials Company currently owns the property, so a middle ground is needed.

On top of that, the site on Chicago's South Side is near an Advocate Hospital and a quantum computing campus, providing better connectivity for game-day traffic.

With Illinois continuing to present alternatives and the Bills' stadium approach offering another example of staying put, the Bears' long-term home remains far from settled.

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Written by

Suryakant Das

Edited by

Rudra Dubey