Bears board advances stadium plans in Indiana after Illinois tax certainty fails
The franchise has dedicated $2 billion toward construction, while Indiana offers up to $1 billion in incentives and a new stadium authority.
The Chicago Bears board of directors voted on Thursday to advance plans for a new stadium in Hammond, Indiana, marking the first time the franchise has approved a specific site for development. The decision follows the collapse of Illinois legislation designed to provide property tax certainty for a potential stadium in Arlington Heights, where the team currently holds a 326-acre parcel purchased in 2021.
The move signals a significant shift in the team’s long-standing presence in Illinois, where it has been based since its inception over 100 years ago. Bears chairman George H. McCaskey and CEO Kevin Warren issued a joint statement regarding the transformation of the region, noting that a world-class stadium in Hammond would connect Northwest Indiana with the South Side of Chicago and surrounding suburbs.
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker’s office responded to the development by stating that the Bears’ shifting positions have hindered progress toward a local solution. Matt Hill, a spokesperson for the governor, noted that while the team has a storied legacy in the state, its recent changes in stance regarding stadium location have impeded negotiations. Governor Pritzker remains open to a sensible solution that keeps the team in Illinois and protects taxpayers.
The legislative effort in Illinois culminated in a late-night push by State Senator Bill Cunningham, who introduced a bill allowing Cook County cities with populations over 70,000 to create sports stadium authorities. Although the measure passed the state Senate 37-17 in the early hours of Monday, the House adjourned without taking a vote, leaving the proposal unpassed.
In contrast, Indiana has moved decisively to secure the franchise. Lawmakers unanimously approved an amendment to Senate Bill 27 to create the Northwest Indiana Stadium Authority, which has the power to issue bonds and finance construction. The state has offered up to $1 billion in incentives to lure the Bears to Hammond, where Governor Mike Braun welcomed the potential move as an economic boost for the region.
The Bears have dedicated $2 billion toward the construction of the new facility and maintain that they cannot proceed without property tax certainty. While the exact site within Hammond has not yet been determined, the team’s current lease at Soldier Field, owned by the City of Chicago, runs through 2033. An NFL source indicated that while Indiana is in the lead, Illinois can still re-enter the race for the stadium.
