The Chicago Bears have made a notable advancement in their potential relocation to Indiana, as a crucial committee has sanctioned a proposal to establish an agency dedicated to stadium construction. On Thursday, the Indiana House of Representatives Ways and Means Committee voted unanimously to pass a bill that will create the Northwest Indiana Stadium Authority, which will be responsible for financing, building, and leasing a new stadium. The Bears are eyeing a site near Wolf Lake in Hammond, Indiana.
The team expressed optimism regarding the legislative development, stating, “The passage of SB 27 would mark the most meaningful step forward in our stadium planning efforts to date.” They affirmed their commitment to conducting the necessary due diligence for their vision of a premier stadium in the Hammond area.
Indiana”s Republican Governor Mike Braun and state lawmakers have been proactive in their efforts to attract the historic NFL franchise across state lines, especially as Illinois continues to grapple with its own stadium plans. Notably, the Bears did not reference Illinois in their official statement. Earlier on the same day, a scheduled hearing by the Illinois House Revenue and Finance Committee regarding a bill to allow the Bears and other developers to negotiate long-term property tax rates was abruptly canceled.
Matt Hill, a spokesperson for Governor JB Pritzker, indicated that the Illinois legislature was prepared to advance this bill. He noted, “After a productive three-hour meeting yesterday, the Bears leaders requested the (Illinois General Assembly) pause the hearing to make further tweaks to the bill. This morning, we were surprised to see a statement lauding Indiana and ignoring Illinois.”
The Bears have wavered in their plans for a new home, initially considering a property they own in Arlington Heights, then shifting attention to the Chicago lakefront, and back to the suburbs. They intend to finance the construction of a stadium on the site of a former racetrack located approximately 30 miles northwest of Soldier Field, their long-time home. However, they would require public assistance to complete the project.
A consultant”s report released in September indicated that the Bears are seeking significant public funding for infrastructure to support a stadium in Arlington Heights that could host major events like Final Fours and Super Bowls. The organization had also been hopeful for Illinois legislation to pass last October that would freeze property taxes for substantial construction projects, which would have facilitated a construction start in 2025. Unfortunately, that did not materialize.
In September 2022, the Bears presented an ambitious plan for a nearly $5 billion development in Arlington Heights, which included plans for restaurants and retail spaces. This proposal came as the team finalized the purchase of the site. However, after the hiring of Kevin Warren as president three years ago, the team”s focus shifted to a new stadium adjacent to Soldier Field, receiving mixed reactions from local leaders and state legislators.
Last spring, the Bears directed their attention back to Arlington Heights, citing “significant progress” with local officials. Since their arrival in Chicago in 1921, the Bears have never owned their own stadium, having played at Wrigley Field from 1921 to 1970 and at Soldier Field since then.
