Chicago Bears Signal Cross-State Shift as Indiana Committee Unanimously Advances Hammond Stadium Bill

The chicago bears released a new statement after Indiana legislators unanimously advanced a bill that would create a stadium authority and pave the way for a potential new stadium near Wolf Lake in Hammond. The development matters because it marks a concrete legislative step that could reshape where the team locates and how a major sports venue for the region would be financed and governed.

Chicago Bears response and Illinois reaction

The Chicago Bears issued a statement framing the passage of SB 27 as the most meaningful progress yet in their stadium planning and saying they are committed to finishing necessary site-specific due diligence to support a vision for a world-class stadium near the Wolf Lake area in Hammond. The statement praised Indiana leadership and described a desire to continue building the working relationship needed for a public/private project.

Illinois leadership expressed surprise after the Bears' statement. The Illinois governor said his team had completed more than three hours of discussions with the Bears and had mostly agreed on a bill to move forward, and noted that the Bears had asked Illinois not to advance the measure that morning so they could tweak a few items. An Illinois committee hearing that had been scheduled was canceled following the exchange.

Indiana committee action, bill mechanics and local reaction

Legislators in Indiana voted unanimously to push the measure out of the Ways and Means Committee. The proposal would create a Northwest Indiana Stadium authority modeled on an existing sports facilities authority in Illinois and would incorporate funding mechanisms that include new food, beverage, and innkeepers taxes in Indiana's northwest counties to help pay for stadium construction and supporting infrastructure.

Lawmakers said the Bears would contribute $2 billion toward construction costs. The amendment to Senate Bill 27 presents a framework intended to allow final negotiations to proceed, contingent on satisfactory site due diligence near Wolf Lake. Indiana's governor described the state as open for business and identified the Wolf Lake area as a promising site under the framework set out by the amendment.

Local officials who spoke during the committee hearing framed Hammond as ready to partner on the project. Hammond's mayor emphasized the city's position within the Chicagoland region and signaled a willingness to do what it takes to help the project succeed. The Indiana Speaker of the House said conversations with the team have been productive and that the relationship could form the basis of a public/private partnership to build a world-class stadium.

Regional stakes, fan reaction and next steps

The proposal and the Bears' statement prompted strong reactions from fans. One local fan said he did not want to see the chicago bears leave Illinois, while another fan said moving to Hammond would change their relationship with the team. These reactions underscore how a relocation or cross-border stadium could affect fan sentiment across the region.

What comes next is focused and procedural: the Bears will complete site-specific due diligence, and final agreement depends on that work proceeding smoothly. The amendment and the creation of a stadium authority create a pathway for negotiations, but the details of tax implementation, infrastructure commitments, and formal agreements remain to be finalized. Given the competing engagements by both states and the cancellation of at least one Illinois committee hearing, developments should be considered evolving as negotiations and due diligence continue.

• Committee action: Unanimous vote to advance SB 27 out of Ways and Means Committee.
• Governance: Creation of a Northwest Indiana Stadium authority modeled after an Illinois authority.
• Financing: Proposed local food, beverage and innkeepers taxes plus a stated $2 billion contribution from the team toward construction.
• Site: Proposed location identified near Wolf Lake in Hammond; final steps contingent on due diligence.

Officials and the team framed the current package as a foundation for a public/private partnership that could deliver a major regional venue. Recent updates indicate the matter remains in active negotiation and that details may evolve as due diligence and legislative processes continue.