I stand corrected, Steve but,
from Wikipedia... main ingredients for chili are...
- Chili peppers
- Meat
- Tomatoes
- Often made with beans
Beans are apparently not a main ingredient for the dish as far as I can tell.
Maybe someone thought they could extend the yield on a batch by adding beans. Therefore, calling it Chili Con Carne (with meat) as the translation goes, is redundant. You can't make a pot of Chili without ground beef. Beans are optional.

Red beans and Kidney beans are a total deal breaker for me. I like mine plain and hot.
Since the dish originated in Texas, let's ask Neal.
Hey Neal.. What's in "genuine" Texas Chili?
Inquiring taste buds wanna know.