Chicago Bears Face Indiana Push After Hammond Stadium Bill Advances

The chicago bears signaled renewed interest in a Hammond stadium after Indiana legislators on Thursday morning voted unanimously to push SB 27 out of the Ways and Means Committee, a step that could put a new venue near Wolf Lake and reshape regional stadium planning.

Chicago Bears eyed Hammond site near Wolf Lake

The chicago bears released a statement saying, "The passage of SB 27 would mark the most meaningful step forward in our stadium planning efforts to date. We are committed to finishing the remaining site-specific necessary due diligence to support our vision to build a world-class stadium near the Wolf Lake area in Hammond, Indiana. " That statement names Governor Braun, Speaker Huston and Senator Mishler for their roles in advancing the framework.

Legislators push SB 27 and propose local taxes to fund infrastructure

Thursday morning, legislators voted unanimously to advance SB 27 from the Ways and Means Committee; the bill would create a Northwest Indiana Stadium authority modeled after the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority. Lawmakers said the Bears would pay $2 billion toward construction costs, and the proposal includes new food, beverage and innkeepers taxes in Indiana's northwest counties to help pay for the stadium and related infrastructure.

Reactions from officials, Hammond leaders and fans

Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr. told the committee that "Hammond is ready to partner with the Chicago Bears, basically Hammond would do whatever it takes to help make this project a success, " and called the city "uniquely positioned for this moment. " Speaker Todd Huston said the state has had "excellent conversations with the Chicago Bears" and framed the bill as the foundation for a public/private partnership to build a "world class stadium. " Governor Mike Braun said Indiana has identified a promising site near Wolf Lake and that the amendment to SB 27 puts forward a framework to complete a final deal, "contingent upon site due diligence proceeding smoothly. "

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker said he was surprised by the Bears' statement, noting that his team had held lengthy discussions with the club the prior day and that an Illinois committee hearing was canceled amid the developments. Fan reaction was mixed: Greg Cutler said, "No, I don't want to see the Chicago Bears leave Illinois, " while another fan said moving to Hammond would make the team "dead to me. "

SB 27's advancement clears a legislative hurdle in Indiana: creating the stadium authority and authorizing local tax measures are now part of the framework proponents say will help convince the team to cross the state line.

Next steps are spelled out in the Bears' statement and in the bill language: the team will complete site-specific due diligence and the amendment to SB 27 is contingent on that work proceeding smoothly. Lawmakers and Hammond officials signaled they will continue negotiations based on that timeline.