PILOT Tug-of-War Clouds Bears Stadium Bill Ahead of Senate Vote
Illinois lawmakers are hashing HB0910, the Megaprojects Bill to keep the Chicago Bears in the state, but the Senate is unlikely to pass it as-is. After the House approved it, the Bears demanded amendments to make Arlington Heights feasible, and Chicago was officially eliminated as a site. A key sticking point is the PILOT property-tax relief mechanism, with the Senate wanting to keep it while the Bears oppose, arguing it risks higher local taxes unless structuring is favorable. Projections estimate a $10–12 million annual PILOT, with roughly half staying in Arlington Heights for development and local relief, and the rest funneled statewide; critics say the Bears shouldn’t control that money. The decision timeline remains tied to end-of-May adjournment, with Indiana seen as a contender if a deal stalls.
