Keeping the Chicago Bears in Illinois is a major priority for some lawmakers, and overnight Tuesday into Wednesday, steps were taken in Springfield.

A key state lawmaker on Wednesday introduced a new version of a proposal that would help the Chicago Bears build a new stadium in Arlington Heights.

Illinois lawmakers advanced a Chicago Bears stadium "megaprojects" bill out of the Illinois House Wednesday, and it will now go to an Illinois Senate vote.

The measure represents the first major legislative step toward ensuring the Bears stay in Illinois. The thorny details of infrastructure funding for Arlington Heights — which are likely to include help for Chicago — must still be dealt with before lawmakers adjourn from the spring session

The plan would allow the charter NFL franchise to make special payments to taxing bodies in the northwest suburbs — known as Payment in Lieu of Taxes, or PILOT — rather than paying regular property taxes.

It could be a big week in the Chicago Bears stadium saga. The clock is winding down for the Bears and the two contending sites for their new stadium —Arlington Heights, Illinois, and Hammond, Indiana

The Illinois House of Representatives is contemplating legislation that would give the Chicago Bears a massive tax discount to stop […]