The Chicago Bears' ongoing stadium negotiations strongly support the 89% trader consensus against leaving Illinois by December 31. High-level October 2026 meetings involving NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, Governor JB Pritzker, and legislative leaders have advanced a publicly owned stadium authority model at the Arlington Heights site, addressing property tax concerns that previously stalled progress. While the team completed due diligence on Hammond, Indiana options and previously signaled sole focus there, Illinois incentives remain active ahead of the November veto session, with no binding commitments or construction timelines crossing state lines. On-field performance, injury reports, or 2026 schedule factors play no material role, as this is a multi-year facilities decision driven by financing and local politics rather than immediate operational relocation.