Chicago Bears Move Nearer to Indiana After Unanimous Committee Vote on Hammond Stadium Bill
The Chicago Bears signaled a potential shift toward Hammond, Indiana, after an Indiana legislative committee unanimously advanced Senate Bill 27, a measure that would set the financing and governance framework for a new stadium near the Wolf Lake area.
Chicago Bears statement, funding framework and unanimous committee backing
Legislators voted unanimously to push SB 27 out of the Ways and Means Committee, a 24-0 tally in the key House panel that clears a path for the bill to reach the full House. The proposal would establish the Northwest Indiana Stadium Authority to oversee land acquisition and coordinate financing for construction of a new facility near Wolf Lake in Hammond.
In public comments tied to the vote, lawmakers said the team would contribute $2 billion toward construction costs. The legislative package includes plans for new food, beverage and innkeepers taxes in northwest Indiana counties to help pay for the stadium and required infrastructure. State leaders framed the measure as creating a framework to negotiate a final deal, contingent on site-specific due diligence progressing smoothly.
The Chicago Bears released a statement calling passage of SB 27 "the most meaningful step forward in our stadium planning efforts to date. " The team said it is committed to finishing remaining site-specific due diligence to support a vision of building a world-class stadium near the Wolf Lake area in Hammond and expressed appreciation for state leadership in establishing a framework for a public/private partnership.
Regional reactions: Illinois surprise, local officials press forward
The Bears' statement and the committee vote prompted surprise and disappointment from Illinois leadership, with Illinois officials saying the announcement came unexpectedly after recent discussions. An Illinois committee hearing tied to parallel state-level stadium measures was canceled amid the developments.
Local Indiana officials urged action. Hammond's mayor stressed the city's readiness to partner with the team and framed Hammond as part of the broader Chicagoland region poised to host a major venue. The Indiana House speaker described ongoing conversations with the Bears as laying a foundation for a public/private partnership centered on construction of a world-class stadium.
Meanwhile, the mayor of Chicago reiterated a position that the franchise belongs in the city, noting outreach from team leadership. The political back-and-forth underscores how the stadium push has become a multi-jurisdictional contest as SB 27 moves toward a full House vote before the legislature adjourns for the session.
Next steps and what the bill does
If the House passes SB 27, the new Northwest Indiana Stadium Authority would have explicit powers to oversee land acquisition and coordinate financing, paving the way for formal negotiations and additional due diligence at the Wolf Lake site. The bill’s financing elements—team contribution, special taxes in northwest Indiana and infrastructure provisions—are central to proponents’ effort to convince the team to build across the state line.
The Chicago Bears have framed the committee’s action as a pivotal step in stadium planning, while Illinois leaders signaled disappointment at the timing and tone of the team’s public statement. With SB 27 advanced by a unanimous committee vote and routed to the full House, the coming legislative decisions will determine whether the negotiation framework for a Hammond stadium becomes binding and how both states respond as the Bears continue site-specific work.
