Indiana Committee Advances Hammond Stadium Bill as chicago bears Re-Engage on New Site
The chicago bears issued a statement Wednesday (ET) as Indiana lawmakers moved forward with a bill designed to clear the path for a potential stadium near Wolf Lake in Hammond. The development comes while Illinois negotiators and the team continue closed-door talks, and as an Illinois committee meeting that could have advanced an Arlington Heights plan was canceled.
Bears respond to Hammond legislation
The team said the passage of SB 27 in an Indiana Senate committee represents the most meaningful step forward in its stadium planning efforts to date. The statement confirmed the franchise remains committed to finishing site-specific due diligence to support its vision of building a world-class stadium near the Wolf Lake area in Hammond, Indiana.
The organization thanked Governor Braun, Speaker Huston, Senator Mishler and members of the Indiana General Assembly for establishing what it called a critical framework to move the project forward. The statement emphasized a willingness to deepen the working relationship with state leaders as the team evaluates the site and related logistics.
Indiana lawmakers advanced the Hammond proposal out of a Senate committee with a 24-0 vote. That move sends the bill back to the House and sets up a deadline on Thursday (ET) for action out of a House committee. The legislation under consideration would create a stadium authority structure similar to those used in other states to support major venue projects.
Illinois negotiations, Arlington Heights uncertainty
On the Illinois side, a session of the House Revenue and Finance Committee that could have taken up a so-called "Mega Project" bill was canceled Wednesday (ET). That measure would have offered a long-term property tax break to support a proposed stadium in Arlington Heights, leaving the Illinois pathway temporarily stalled.
Illinois officials, including the governor, have said progress is being made toward keeping the project in-state. The governor and staff, along with several lawmakers, have held meetings with Bears executives behind closed doors to explore incentives, local approvals and financing options. Those discussions are expected to continue even as the Indiana bill advances, highlighting competing efforts to lock in the franchise.
With both states jockeying and legislative calendars tight, the Bears remain positioned to weigh multiple options. The team has signaled it will move forward only after completing targeted due diligence and securing the necessary governmental frameworks and support.
What comes next and the path forward
Legislators in Indiana face the immediate task of moving SB 27 through a House committee before the Thursday (ET) deadline. Success there would create a clearer statutory pathway for a Hammond authority to take shape and for the team to pursue site-specific approvals and financing commitments.
In Illinois, proponents of the Arlington Heights plan must regroup after the committee cancellation and determine whether the Mega Project approach can be rescheduled or advanced through alternate channels. Local approvals, tax incentives and public buy-in will remain central hurdles regardless of which site gains traction.
For the team, the decision will hinge on a combination of legal frameworks, financial packages and the results of continued due diligence at candidate sites. Officials on both sides of the border have signaled urgency, and the coming days could bring additional votes, statements and private engagements as lawmakers and the franchise seek to secure a long-term home for the club.
As discussions unfold, the Bears reiterated a commitment to deliver a premier venue for the entire Chicagoland region and to work with partners to evaluate the best path forward.
