The Chicago Bears’ public position is that Hammond, Indiana, is the “sole focus” of the ongoing stadium project. However, privately, talks are ongoing with Illinois.The Bears have already released designs of a stadium in IllinoisManicaCapitol News Illinois obtained public records showing that minority owner and board member Pat Ryan met with Deputy Governor Andy Manar days after the claim president Kevin Warren made about Hammond being the only location being progressed.Manar is Governor J.B. Pritzker’s top economic development official and politics reporter Brenen Moore obtained emails showing he reached out to Bears Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President of Stadium Development Karen Murphy for a “check in” on August 11.A meeting appears to have been agreed for August 20, with Ryan added just before.Another event titled ‘Infrastructure Meeting with Karen + Andy’ was also found.NFL Weekly Newsletter - SIGN UP!talkSPORT is your home for NFL in the UK as we launch our biggest year of coverage yet!2026 promises to be an epic year for NFL on talkSPORT – and we want you to join us for the ride.MORE INFO & SIGN-UP HERE!This season will be our biggest ever with live commentary of 90+ games, including behind-the-scenes access to international games and all three London fixtures, plus bumper coverage of Super Bowl 61 at SoFi Stadium.Exclusive interviews, hard-hitting opinion, latest front-office drama and top breaking news – all delivered straight to your inbox each week.“We have had occasional meetings with the state of Illinois and also we’re just grateful that the NFL has been very helpful to us especially Commissioner Goodell,” Warren said in an August 13 press conference. “But even though we’ve had occasional meetings with the state of Illinois, our sole focus at this point in time is working on a world-class stadium and mixed-use development in Hammond Indiana.”The records appear to show that the Bears’ description of “minimal” contact with Illinois officials in additional comments may have been deliberately downplayed.“I think it matters a lot because it shows that despite what the Bears have been saying publicly, what they’re doing behind closed doors doesn’t really match that,” Moore insisted.Pat Ryan is stadium construction expertRyan, who is worth an estimated $9.2 billion, is the money behind Northwestern’s new stadium, which is the most expensive college football arena ever created.His expertise means he is likely a significant figure in the Bears’ organization when it comes to the move from Soldier Field.The sprawling complex at Arlington Heights would bring year-round revenueManicaThe Bears will pay for the $3.2bn dome but want help with surrounding infrastructureManica“I do think it’s pretty significant that he is involved in,” added Moore.“Again, the initial meeting was requested by Deputy Governor Manar, but it was Karen Murphy who said an hour before where Pat Ryan is also gonna be on this call.”The Bears’ No. 1 site was always Arlington Heights, where the team has already purchased a 326-acre plot.A lack of movement on state funding toward the surrounding infrastructure opened the door for Indiana, but if money can be found the cross-state relocation may never get off the ground.“Yes, I have spoken with Commissioner Goodell, it’s been my job all along here to make sure we have the best opportunity to keep the Bears in the state of Illinois however that can come about,” Pritzker said on August 28. “But I can say that we’re going to continue to work hard to keep the Bears in Illinois.”The governor’s office later confirmed that talks were ongoing to Fox Chicago.“As we’ve said, we continue to have conversations with the Bears about their plans in Illinois. We look forward to continuing to work with them,” read a statement.Illinois lawmakers return in November and may have one final chance to keep the team.Join talkSPORT’s dedicated US Sports YouTube channel The S* Word every Tuesday and Thursday for our brand new NFL shows.On Tuesdays, Will Gavin and US senior reporter Brian T. Smith will debate the biggest talking points from the NFL weekend, while on Thursdays Efe Obada joins the crew to talk to players past and present and break down what to look for across the league.