State Sen. Willie Preston Skeptical of Bears’ Reported Move to Indiana (Chicago, IL) – State Sen. Willie Preston, D-Chicago, is expressing doubt about the Chicago Bears’ announced plans to relocate to Hammond, Indiana, while warning that leaving the city would be a mistake for the franchise.
In a statement released following the team’s announcement, Preston said he remains unconvinced that a move will ultimately take place.
“I’ll believe it when I see it,” Preston said. “The Bears have been bluffing for years, and until moving trucks roll out, I’m not buying it.”
The future home of the Bears has been the subject of years of debate, with discussions involving potential stadium developments in Chicago, Arlington Heights and other locations. The latest announcement has sparked renewed conversation about the franchise’s long-term future and its ties to the city where it has played for more than a century.
While questioning whether the move will actually occur, Preston argued that relocating outside Chicago would have lasting consequences for the team’s identity and relationship with its fan base.
“But if they ultimately choose to leave Chicago, it will be a historic mistake,” Preston said. “The Bears were built by this city and supported for generations by some of the most loyal fans in sports. You don’t walk away from that without consequences.”
Preston also emphasized the role Chicago has played in the franchise’s growth and national profile.
“Chicago made the Bears a global brand,” he said. “This won’t just be a change in address — it will be a change in identity. The Bears belong in Chicago. They always have, and they always will.”
The Bears have not publicly responded to Preston’s comments. Any relocation would mark one of the most significant developments in the franchise’s history and could have economic, cultural and political implications for both Chicago and the surrounding region.
State Sen. Willie Preston Skeptical of Bears’ Reported Move to Indiana
