On February 19, Indiana lawmakers revealed a significant step towards potentially relocating the Chicago Bears to northwest Indiana by announcing a deal that could lead to a new stadium construction in the area. This agreement is contingent upon the approval of a bill that would establish a financial framework and address necessary due diligence at the proposed site in Hammond.
House Speaker Todd Huston emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating, “It represents a transformational investment for northwest Indiana and our state.” He noted that the Chicago Bears are prepared to invest approximately $2 billion into the stadium project, signaling their serious commitment to the region.
To facilitate this development, Indiana lawmakers have introduced Senate Bill 27, which outlines a series of investment commitments from the state, as well as Lake and Porter counties, essential for bringing the stadium to life. The Bears expressed their support for this legislation, stating in a release, “The passage of SB 27 would mark the most meaningful step forward in our stadium planning efforts to date.” They reaffirmed their dedication to conducting the necessary site-specific due diligence to realize their vision of a world-class stadium near the Wolf Lake area in Hammond.
While the announcement on February 19 is a positive advancement, Indiana Governor Mike Braun cautioned that this is merely a “framework for negotiating a final deal.” He highlighted the strong relationship built with the Bears organization, which he believes will underpin a successful public-private partnership aimed at constructing the stadium.
The push towards Indiana”s proposal follows a letter from Bears President and CFO Kevin Warren on December 17, which expressed discontent with the slow progress of negotiations regarding the team”s existing Illinois site. This letter prompted regional leaders to intensify their efforts to attract the Bears to northwest Indiana. In response, state lawmakers had already established the “Northwest Indiana professional sports development commission” the previous year, tasked with developing the necessary infrastructure to support a professional sports team.
In January, legislative leaders swiftly moved to draft a bill that would create a stadium authority with the power to acquire and finance the construction of such facilities. This bill advanced quickly through the legislative process, receiving Senate approval by the end of January and subsequently undergoing a hearing in the House Ways and Means committee on February 19.
In public comments, the Chicago Bears have welcomed these legislative developments, labeling them as a “significant milestone.” However, they face competition from other states, as lawmakers and dealmakers in both Illinois and Iowa are also working to organize their own incentive packages to retain or attract professional football teams.
