In a race against the clock, Illinois lawmakers are under pressure to present a compelling counter-offer to the Chicago Bears as the team considers new opportunities across state lines.
Recently, Indiana has made significant strides by advancing legislation that opens the doors for the Bears to establish a new stadium in Hammond. This legislative move is anticipated to clear the house in Indiana as early as next week, setting the stage for a major development in the Bears’ search for a new home.
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The Bears have acknowledged Indiana’s progress as a “meaningful step forward” in their ambitions to construct a stadium in the Wolf Lake region, a development that has stirred excitement among local officials and fans alike.
Hammond’s Mayor, Thomas McDermott Jr., has expressed his enthusiasm about the potential move, highlighting the benefits it could bring to both Indiana and the Bears’ fanbase. “Downtown Chicago or on the South Side, Chicago should be applauding this move because we’re going to be much closer to you, the fan, than if the Bears move to Arlington Heights,” Mayor McDermott Jr. remarked.
Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr. believes this is a win for Indiana and Bears fans.
“Downtown Chicago or on the South Side, of Chicago, they should be applauding this move because we’re going to be much closer to you, the fan, than if the Bears move to Arlington Heights,” Mayor McDermott Jr. said.
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However, Governor JB Pritzker said he was disappointed by the Bears statement Thursday.
Pritzker said two days ago his team and the Bears had a three-hour positive discussion about plans in Illinois.
“I’ve been a Bears fan for a very long time, and I wanted them to, you know, perform, stay play here, continue to believe that that’s the best thing for them. I believe they understand in their hearts that that may be the best thing for them,” Governor Pritzker said.
The mega project bill that was supposed to go before an Illinois House committee Thursday has since been rescheduled for next Thursday.
State officials said they wanted to tweak it and believe they are close to a deal on bringing the Bears to Arlington Heights.
The Chicago Bears have released a new statement on a potential new stadium as Indiana lawmakers moved forward with a bill to bring the team to Hammond.
The Bears said in a statement, “The passage of SB 27 would mark the most meaningful step forward in our stadium planning efforts to date. 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. We appreciate the leadership shown by Governor Braun, Speaker Huston, Senator Mishler and members of the Indiana General Assembly in establishing this critical framework and path forward to deliver a premier venue for all of Chicagoland and a destination for Bears fans and visitors from across the globe. We value our partnership and look forward to continuing to build our working relationship together.”
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“No, I don’t want to see the Chicago Bears leave Illinois,” fan Greg Cutler said. “It’s the Chicago Bears! What are you going to do? It’s Chicago!”
There was strong reaction after the Bears signaled a possible move across the state line.
“If they were to actually move to Hammond, Indiana, they would be dead to me,” one fan told ABC7.
Thursday morning legislators voted unanimously to push a bill out of the Ways and Means Committee. The bill would create the Northwest Indiana Stadium authority similar to Illinois Sports Facilities Authority. This could convince the Chicago Bears to cross state line and build a new stadium.
Lawmakers said the Bears would pay $2 billion toward construction costs.
The proposal includes new food, beverage, and innkeepers taxes in Indiana’s northwest counties to help pay for the stadium and infrastructure.
Among the people who spoke during Thursday’s hearing include Hammond’s Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr and the Indiana Speaker of the House Rep. Todd Huston.
“Hammond is ready to partner with the Chicago Bears, basically Hammond would do whatever it takes to help make this project a success,” Mayor McDermott Jr. said. “Hammond is uniquely positions for this moment, we are part of the Chicagoland region.”
“We’ve had excellent conversations with the Chicago Bears and we are forging a relationship that would be a foundation for a public/private partnership leaned on construction of a world class stadium,” Speaker Huston said.
Indiana Governor Mike Braun said in a statement, “”Indiana is open for business, and our pro-growth environment continues to attract major opportunities like this partnership with the Chicago Bears. We’ve identified a promising site near Wolf Lake in Hammond and established a broad framework for negotiating a final deal. The amendment to Senate Bill 27 puts forward the essential framework to complete this agreement, contingent upon site due diligence proceeding smoothly.”
Governor JB Pritzker, speaking Thursday, said he was disappointed by the Bears statement.
“It was a surprise to us,” Governor Pritzker said. “The Bears actually, yesterday, we completed more than three hours, my team did, of discussions with the Bears, very positive discussions and mostly agreed on a bill that would move forward this morning, but they asked us not to move forward with it this morning because they said they wanted to tweak a couple of items in the bill that were things that we were working on them and so to have a statement put out by the Bears…Now they saying to us that that statement is not some confirmation that they are moving to Indiana but rather that Indiana had asked them to say that they are going to move forward with the negotiations in Indiana, but I have to say it is very disappointing to hear that they would put that statement out but not saying about the advancement that has been made in Illinois. We are waiting to hear from the Bears what they would like to do next.”
Pritzker and his staff, and lawmakers have been meeting with Bears brass behind closed doors.
The news out of Indiana came as an Illinois House committee hearing that could have brought the Bears a step closer to a new stadium in Illinois was canceled.
The House Revenue and Finance Committee canceled a meeting Wednesday to hear the “Mega Project” bill.
No date has been set on a new hearing.
The bill could give the Bears a long-term property tax break for their proposed stadium in Arlington Heights.
Gary Mayor Eddie Melton released a statement saying, “Today’s announcement that the State of Indiana has selected Hammond for the new Bears stadium marks a major shift for our region. While Gary presented a compelling case, the State’s decision now sets the stage for a new chapter in Northwest Indiana.
“While I would be less than honest if I said there isn’t some level of disappointment, I am encouraged to see meaningful progress in this process. Major decisions like this require movement, clarity, and commitment – and today represents a step forward for Northwest Indiana.
“My primary concern remains ensuring that previously committed funding, particularly the innkeeper’s tax revenue designated for the operations of the Lake County Convention Center in Gary, is protected and honored. We must safeguard investments that support our long-term growth and stability.
“Regional success benefits us all. Should this project move forward following the Bears due diligence exorts in Hammond, I will join leaders from across the state in welcoming the Bears to Northwest Indiana. A development of this magnitude creates a rising tide for the entire region. Gary is uniquely positioned to amplify this economic momentum-serving as the western gateway to the Indiana Dunes National Park, served by three major interstate corridors and an international airport.
“Gary’s progress does not depend on one opportunity. Gary’s comeback is real, it is measurable, and its momentum continues.
“Hammond, don’t fumble, we’re ready to recover.”
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