CHICAGO — The Chicago Bears’ possible relocation to Indiana gained significant momentum Thursday when state legislators unanimously endorsed legislation to establish a stadium development authority.
Indiana’s House Ways and Means Committee voted 24-0 to approve creating the Northwest Indiana Stadium Authority, which would handle financing, building, and leasing a new stadium facility. The NFL franchise is evaluating property near Wolf Lake in Hammond, Indiana.
“The passage of SB 27 would mark the most meaningful step forward in our stadium planning efforts to date,” the team said in a statement. “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.”
Republican Governor Mike Braun and Indiana legislators have actively courted the historic NFL team while Illinois continues struggling with its own stadium development efforts spanning several years. Notably, the Bears made no reference to Illinois in their Thursday statement.
Meanwhile, Illinois lawmakers abruptly canceled a scheduled Thursday morning hearing on legislation that would permit the Bears and other major developers to negotiate extended property tax agreements with local authorities.
“Illinois was ready to move this bill forward,” Matt Hill, a spokesman for Gov. JB Pritzker posted on X. “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 franchise has shifted its stadium plans multiple times between property it owns in Arlington Heights, Chicago’s lakefront area, and back to the suburban location.
Team officials have indicated they would finance stadium construction at the former racetrack site roughly 30 miles northwest of Soldier Field, though they require public assistance to complete the development.
A consultant study released in September revealed the team is requesting $855 million in public infrastructure funding for an Arlington Heights stadium capable of hosting Final Four tournaments and Super Bowl games. The Bears had hoped Illinois would pass legislation last October freezing property taxes for major construction projects, enabling them to start building in 2025, but that effort failed.
In September 2022, the Bears announced a nearly $5 billion Arlington Heights development plan including dining, shopping, and entertainment venues while finalizing their purchase of that location.
The team’s attention shifted toward constructing a new facility adjacent to Soldier Field after Kevin Warren joined as president three years ago, replacing retiring Ted Phillips. The Museum Campus transformation proposal received strong support from Mayor Brandon Johnson but lukewarm response from Pritzker and state lawmakers when unveiled in April 2024.
Last spring, the organization announced returning focus to Arlington Heights, citing “significant progress” with local officials.
Since relocating to Chicago in 1921, the Bears have never owned their home venue, playing at Wrigley Field from 1921 to 1970 before moving to Soldier Field.
