Chicago Bears President and CEO Kevin Warren and Chairman George McCaskey say Hammond, Indiana remains the sole focus for a site for a new stadium for the team.  On this edition of ‘The Stadium Club’, listen to their words in full about the progress on their plans, and response to criticism on potentially moving the team.  They spoke ahead of the team’s first pre-season game of the 2026 season.

Joie Chitwood, Executive Director of the President’s Cup, took WGN’s Ryan Burrow on a golf cart tour of the build-outs ongoing ahead of the tournament at Medinah Country Club, September 22-September 27.

• Preparations underway at Medinah Country Club for the President’s Cup (Ryan Burrow / WGN Radio)
• Preparations underway at Medinah Country Club for the President’s Cup (Ryan Burrow / WGN Radio)
• Preparations underway at Medinah Country Club for the President’s Cup (Ryan Burrow / WGN Radio)
• Preparations underway at Medinah Country Club for the President’s Cup (Ryan Burrow / WGN Radio)
• Preparations underway at Medinah Country Club for the President’s Cup (Ryan Burrow / WGN Radio)
• Preparations underway at Medinah Country Club for the President’s Cup (Ryan Burrow / WGN Radio)
• Joie Chitwood, Executive Director of the President’s Cup (Ryan Burrow / WGN Radio)
• Ryan Burrow with Joie Chitwood, Executive Director of the President’s Cup (Ryan Burrow / WGN Radio)

WGN’s Ryan Burrow gets an update from Pat Ryan, Jr., CEO of Ryan Sports Development, on the construction of the new Ryan Field in Evanston.

Mayor of Arlington Heights Jim Tinaglia joins the Lisa Dent Show to share his thoughts on the Bears moving to Hammond, Indiana. He expresses disappointment in the news as he describes the last four years of trying to get Arlington Heights to be the Bears’ new home. Despite his disappointment, he maintains hope that the Bears still have a future in the village.

Governor Mike Braun of Indiana joins the Lisa Dent Show to talk about the Bears’ potential move to Hammond. He addresses the conversations he had with the McCaskeys as well as some of the preparations he’s been making to start building a new stadium.

Argie Karafotias, co-founder of Touchdown Arlington, a group of local Arlington Heights residents and business owners advocating for the Bears to settle down in their village, joins the Lisa Dent Show to talk about the Bears’ reported move to Hammond, Indiana. He expresses disappointment in the news, but maintains hope that Arlington Heights still has a chance to be the new home of the Bears.

Marc Ganis, sports business expert and President and Co-Founder of Sportscorp Ltd., joins John Williams to talk about the Chicago Bears announcing they are likely moving ahead with plans to build a new stadium in Indiana. Marc tells John that he puts the blame on Mayor Johnson, Speaker Welch, and even Stacy Davis Gates.

Illinois legislators have until Sunday night to approve a megaprojects deal that could make or break the Chicago Bears stadium decision.  With just hours to go, the result of a vote is still up in the air.  WGN’s Ryan Burrow spoke with the Daily Herald’s Chris Placek ahead of what’s expected to be a contentious debate in Springfield.

As Illinois legislators go back to work in Springfield, there’s a renewed push to get an infrastructure deal done to expedite a Chicago Bears move to Arlington Heights.  It comes after the Bears threatened to move the team to Northwest Indiana.  There appears to be some softening to make a deal by Governor J.B. Pritzker, and lawmakers who initially opposed financial assistance to the NFL franchise. WGN’s Ryan Burrow spoke with Heather Larson of Meet Chicago Northwest, and Ernie Rose of Touchdown Arlington.  Both are encouraging Springfield to work with the Bears as a way to help generate revenue to the Northwest suburbs.

Heather Larson’s op-ed in the Chicago Tribune.

The Chicago Bears say the franchise is now considering a potential move to Northwest Indiana after talks have stalled with lawmakers in Springfield over favorable legislation.  WGN host John Williams talks with The Stadium Club host Ryan Burrow WGN Radio Sports Director Andy Masur about the latest development and the likelihood of a move to the Hoosier state.