Indiana Governor Signs Bill to Attract Chicago Bears

Indiana Gov. Mike Braun signed a bill on Feb. 26 aimed at luring the Chicago Bears across state lines.

The Indiana Senate overwhelmingly approved the legislation, 45-4. The Indiana House of Representatives passed the bill on Feb. 25.

“We made it clear from the beginning that Indiana is open for business,” Braun posted on X. “I’m thrilled to sign Senate Bill 27 to create the framework to build a new world-class stadium in Northwest Indiana. Now let’s get this across the goal line.”

The Bears expressed appreciation for the bill being signed into law.

“Indiana has taken important steps over the last few months, and we are grateful for the leadership reflected by Governor Braun signing SB 27, establishing the framework for a stadium development in Northwest Indiana,” said the team in an emailed statement to The Epoch Times. “We continue to work on the necessary due diligence and appreciate the ongoing engagement with Indiana state and local leaders.”

The proposal would establish the Northwest Indiana Stadium Authority and a Northwest Indiana Stadium Board to oversee the development and operations of a proposed stadium complex in Hammond, Indiana, which is 28 miles from downtown Chicago.

In addition, the legislation authorizes the creation of two special financing districts: the Northwest Indiana Stadium Development District and the Northwest Indiana Professional Sports Development Area, both centered in Hammond. These districts would help fund construction and related infrastructure for the project.

Momentum behind the bill accelerated in the Indiana House Ways and Means Committee, which unanimously advanced the amended measure in a 24–0 vote on Feb. 19. The amendment outlined how the state would finance, construct, and oversee the proposed Hammond stadium. The Senate had previously passed the bill before those financing details were added.

Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr. called the committee’s action “a very important step,” describing the effort to attract the Bears as “a once-in-a-generation opportunity,” according to a city statement.

The Bears signaled support following adoption of the amendment, stating that the measure “would mark the most meaningful step forward in our stadium planning efforts to date.” The team added that it remains committed to conducting site-specific due diligence to advance its vision for a “world-class stadium” near Wolf Lake.

The franchise is currently weighing two primary options for a new stadium: the Hammond site near Wolf Lake or property it owns in the Chicago suburb of Arlington Heights—formerly home to Arlington International Racecourse—which is 27 miles from Chicago.

Across the border, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker criticized Indiana’s proposal.

“I’m very interested to see how the people of Indiana, the voters of Indiana, feel about the massive increases in taxes that are being proposed to pay for a stadium in Indiana for the Chicago Bears,” Pritzker said Feb. 24. “Do they want to raise their taxes to pay for a stadium in the state of Indiana for the Chicago Bears? We’ll see.”

Meanwhile, in Illinois, the House Revenue and Finance Committee advanced on Feb. 26 a megaproject bill that would allow the Bears to negotiate property tax terms with Arlington Heights—a key issue for the team as it considers redevelopment of the suburban site. It heads to the House floor, but whether there are enough votes for passage remains to be seen.