The Bears have looked into a possible relocation to northwest Indiana as they weigh their latest stadium options. A move across the border appears to stay a definite possibility.
On Thursday, an amendment to Senate Bill 27 received unanimous approval within the state during a Ways and Means committee hearing in Indiana. As noted by All CHGO’s Adam Hoge, only a direct agreement between governor Mike Braun and the Bears themselves appears to be in the best way of a final step regarding relocation. It was confirmed today the Bears are still willing to commit $2 billion to the development of a brand new stadium in Indiana, as they’ve been for a possible move to Arlington Heights in Illinois.
“We’ve identified a promising site near Wolf Lake in Hammond and established a broad framework for negotiating a final deal,” an announcement from Braun reads partly. “If approved, the proposed amendment to Senate Bill 27 puts forward the essential framework to finish this agreement, contingent upon site due diligence proceeding easily.”
An Illinois House Finance and Revenue committee hearing was scheduled to happen today, but it surely was canceled. Hoge reports the megaprojects bill which could have granted the Bears “tax certainty” regarding the Arlington Heights project was on the agenda but was not set to be voted on. The Bears still own a plot in Arlington Heights presently.
“The passage of SB 27 would mark probably the most meaningful step forward in our stadium planning efforts to this point,” a Bears statement reads partly. “We’re committed to ending the remaining site-specific obligatory due diligence to support our vision to construct a world-class stadium near the Wolf Lake area in Hammond, Indiana… We value our partnership and sit up for continuing to construct our working relationship together.”
Hammond falls inside a 75-mile radius of downtown Chicago. As such, the Bears already own marketing rights there in keeping with NFL rules for all of its teams. As noted by the Indy Star’s Joel A. Erickson, the Colts’ stance on this matter has not modified since a Bears relocation to Indiana became possible. The Colts simply “wish the Bears all the perfect on their stadium initiative.”
Connor Orr of Sports Illustrated reports a move across the Illinois-Indiana border “looks like an inevitability” at this point. Nothing has been finalized, but that is definitely a situation to observe closely. Interestingly, a move to Hammond would see the Bears play in the identical location where George Halas hung out as a player in 1919 (h/t Mark Potash of the Chicago Sun-Times). The way during which Illinois responds to today’s developments will likely play a key role in determining the Bears’ post-Soldier Field future.