Plans for a new Chicago Bears stadium continue to generate proposals, though none have yet gained traction with the team. The latest concept envisions locating the stadium and a mixed-use development on the site of the Chicago White Sox’s Guaranteed Rate Field in Bridgeport, but the Bears have not expressed interest in the idea.
Sterling Bay CEO Andy Gloor revealed that he informally pitched the Bridgeport plan to Bears President and CEO Kevin Warren during a casual breakfast meeting. Gloor, who is friends with real estate developer Carl Williams—father of Bears quarterback Caleb Williams—outlined potential benefits of keeping the team in Chicago. However, the Bears declined to pursue the proposal, maintaining their focus on projects in Hammond, Indiana, and suburban Arlington Heights, Illinois. Team officials have cited concerns about the Rate Field site’s limited size as a key factor.
The proposal includes a $5.8 billion stadium and campus spanning roughly 200 acres, which would require the acquisition of about half that land. Rendering and planning documents depict a stadium situated south of the existing ballpark, with the White Sox continuing to play at Rate Field until their planned move to a South Loop site materializes. This placement would likely entail displacing much of the Chicago Housing Authority’s 343-unit Wentworth Gardens complex. Funding for the development is envisaged from multiple sources, including $1.5 billion in federal railroad infrastructure loans, $400 million in tax increment financing, estimated cash equity from the Bears, naming rights, and personal seat licenses.
Architectural firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) shared conceptual renderings of the project, emphasizing that the design was not commissioned and does not signal a formal proposal. SOM managing partner Adam Semel noted the firm hopes the concept will inspire stakeholders and government officials but affirmed it has had no direct involvement in financing discussions or official pitches.
Mayor Brandon Johnson’s administration expressed openness to hearing ideas from experienced local investors, stressing the need for thorough vetting and community engagement. A spokesperson reiterated the city’s commitment to keeping the Bears in Chicago.
The Illinois Sports Facilities Authority (ISFA) owns the Rate Field site but indicated it had not been contacted regarding the stadium proposal. Meanwhile, Illinois lawmakers are yet to pass legislation aimed at incentivizing the Bears to remain in the state. Proposals pending include tax breaks and infrastructure funding, though Governor JB Pritzker has voiced support only for infrastructure improvements, not direct taxpayer-funded stadium construction.
State Senator Bill Cunningham, a key figure in stadium negotiations, described the Bridgeport proposal as “intriguing” but noted that numerous details and community input would need to be addressed. He highlighted the site’s superior transit access, including proximity to the Dan Ryan Expressway and multiple public transit lines, compared to other potential locations. Cunningham stressed that any new stadium would need to be privately financed and that the Bears’ choice remains paramount.
The Illinois General Assembly adjourned in June without passing stadium legislation, with competing bills targeting Arlington Heights and other sites advancing only partially. The Bears’ board endorsed the Hammond proposal in June, calling it transformative, but discussions with Illinois officials continue, leaving Arlington Heights as another possibility.
The Bears’ lease at Soldier Field in Chicago runs through 2033, while the White Sox’s lease at Rate Field extends to 2029. However, the Illinois timeline is pressured by Indiana’s legislature, which has approved tax measures to finance a stadium there. Chicago officials remain reluctant to facilitate the Bears’ departure, keeping exploratory concepts like the Bridgeport plan in discussion, though the team has yet to express interest.
Previous Bears stadium proposals, including a 2024 waterfront plan and a mixed-use development at Arlington International Racecourse, have stalled amid legislative and financial hurdles. With Illinois lawmakers preparing for a critical veto session this fall, the future location of the Bears’ stadium remains uncertain.