Chicago Bears Moving To Indiana as Legislature Advances Hammond Stadium Plan
The prospect of the chicago bears moving to indiana sharpened this week after Indiana advanced legislation that clears the way for a new stadium in Hammond, a move the team called "a meaningful step forward" and one that puts pressure on Illinois lawmakers to finalize a competing plan.
Chicago Bears Moving To Indiana clears Hammond path
Indiana's bill, advanced this week, would clear the path for the Bears to build in the Wolf Lake area of Hammond; lawmakers in Indiana signaled the measure is likely to pass the state's House by next week. The Bears described the Indiana lawmakers' action as "a meaningful step forward" in efforts to build a stadium in the Wolf Lake area, and Hammond leaders said the move is a win for Indiana and for fans in the Chicagoland region.
Pritzker turns up pressure on Illinois leaders
With Indiana pushing legislation forward, Illinois officials have scrambled to keep the team in-state. A "mega project bill" that could enable a stadium in Arlington Heights was set to go before an Illinois House committee on Thursday but was canceled; Illinois they wanted to tweak the bill and believe they are close to a deal to bring the Bears to Arlington Heights. Governor JB Pritzker addressed the stadium talks on Friday and said, "These are complicated matters and sometimes things are unintended that happen so I am hopeful that every will be able to get back on track and get what the I think what bears want and what the people of Illinois want, but again, we are not going to overpay or take advantage of the taxpayers to get it down. "
Local reaction and timing squeeze Springfield
Ernie Rose of the group Touchdown Arlington said the Bears' statement was intended to send a message, noting, "We've known for the last three to four weeks that we are running out of time in Springfield to get a bill done. " Rose added that keeping the team in Illinois would require broad leadership support and that "there's one option and the only option at this point is Arlington Heights. " Hammond's mayor, McDermott Jr., said downtown Chicago and the South Side should applaud the move because "we're going to be much closer to you, the fan, than if the Bears move to Arlington Heights. " Those comments underscored the political stakes in both states as lawmakers proceed on competing timetables.
The cancellation of the Illinois committee hearing on Thursday and the Indiana House's expected vote next week set a narrow window for Illinois to present a rival offer. A hearing for the Illinois mega project bill has been rescheduled for next Thursday, creating the next concrete deadline for Springfield leaders to act.
Officials in Indiana and Illinois are now moving toward separate milestones: Indiana's measure is likely to pass the state House by next week, and Illinois has rescheduled its hearing for next Thursday on legislation linked to an Arlington Heights stadium option. The coming days will determine whether the chicago bears moving to indiana becomes a legislative reality or whether Illinois leaders can clinch a competing deal.
