Chicago Bears fans could need to make travel plans for home games in Indiana if the franchise continues to move forward with plans for a new stadium in Hammond. File Photo by John Sommers II/UPI | License Photo
The Chicago Bears stepped forward with plans for an Indiana-based new stadium, with the amended Indiana Senate Bill 27 passing 24-0 out of committee.
Lawmakers from the Indiana House Ways and Means Committee unanimously approved an amendment to Indiana Senate Bill 27, which will create the Northwest Indiana Stadium Authority. That body would have the power to issue bonds, acquire land and finance construction for the site, which is proposed in the area of Wolf Lake, in Hammond, Ind., near the Indiana-Illinois state line.
The bill, which passed through Indiana Senate on Jan. 28 with a vote of 46-2, is now set to move to the Indiana House of Representatives for a second reading.
“The passage of SB 27 would mark the most meaningful step forward in our stadium planning efforts to date,” the Bears 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, Ind.
“We appreciate the leadership shown by Indiana Gov. Mike Braun, Speaker Todd Huston, Sen. Ryan Mishler and members of the Indiana General Assembly in establishing the 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 glove. We value our partnership and look forward to continuing to build our working relationship together.”
Meanwhile, the Bears requested for the Illinois General Assembly to cancel an Illinois House Revenue and Finance committee meeting, scheduled for Thursday, where discussions on a separate project bill were set to take place.
The mega-projects bill, which would enable negotiations between construction project overseers and local municipalities, would need to pass through Springfield, Ill., in order for the Bears’ previously announced plans for a new stadium in Arlington Heights, Ill., to move forward.
The Bears’ current lease at Soldier Field in Chicago runs through 2033. They committed to contribute $2 billion for a new stadium. They closed on a 326-acre land purchase in 2023 in Arlington Heights.
Bears president Kevin Warren announced in 2024 that the franchise shifted plans to build a stadium near Soldier Field. Warren announced in December that the team preferred the Arlington Heights site, but needed to “expand” the search and “evaluate opportunities throughout the wider Chicagoland region, including Northwestern Indiana.”
He also insisted the move was “not about leverage.”
“Illinois was ready to move this bill forward,” Matt Hill, the deputy chief of staff for Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker wrote Thursday 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.
Braun said Thursday’s development “set the stage for a huge win for all Hoosiers.”
“Indiana is open for business, and our pro-growth environment continues to attract major opportunities like this partnership with the Chicago Bears,” Braun said. “We’ve identified a promising site near Wolf Lake in Hammond and established a broad framework for negotiating a final deal.
“If approved, the proposed amendment to Senate Bill 27 puts forward the essential framework to complete this agreement, contingent upon site due diligence proceeding smoothly. The State of Indiana moves at the speed of business, and we’ve demonstrated that through our quick coordination between state agencies, local government, and the legislature to set the stage for a huge win for all Hoosiers. We have built a strong relationship with the Bears organization that will serve as the foundation for a public-private partnership, leading to the construction of a world-class stadium and a win for taxpayers.”
UPI Pictures of the Year 2025: Winning moments in Sports
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto (C) celebrates with teammates after the Dodgers defeat the Toronto Blue Jays 5-4 in 11 innings in Game 7 to win the World Series in Toronto on November 1, 2025. Photo by Aaron Josefczyk/UPI | License Photo
