UPDATE (June 2, 2026):
HAMMOND, Ind. (ADAMS) – Hammond Mayor Tom McDermott believes the northwest Indiana city will become the new home for the NFL’s Chicago Bears. McDermott says he thinks Illinois is “out of the picture” after lawmakers adjourned their spring session early Monday without an agreement on proposals that were aimed at keeping the Bears in the suburb of Arlington Heights.
Team officials say they will finalize their evaluation of Arlington Heights and Hammond either late this spring or early in the summer and “will provide an update when we have a decision to share.” Indiana lawmakers approved a billion dollars in taxpayer money for the stadium district infrastructure in late February.
Read more HERE
UPDATE (February 27, 2026):
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (ADAMS) – Governor Mike Braun has signed the bill that supports bringing the Chicago Bears to the Hoosier state.
The Indiana Senate passed the bill after approving amendments made in the House. On Thursday, Governor Braun signed it into law- creating the framework to build a stadium for the Bears in Hammond. Governor Braun also appeared on “The Pat McAfee Show” on Thursday to discuss the measure to relocate the team, which he says will bring global events and jobs to the state.
Read more HERE
UPDATE (February 26, 2026):
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (ADAMS) – The bid by the state of Indiana to convince the Chicago Bears to move to Hammond is almost on the desk of Governor Mike Braun.
The bill will be up for a final vote in the Indiana Senate on Thursday to create the Northwest Indiana Stadium Authority.
That would result in a new dome stadium being built near the shore of Lake Michigan in Hammond. The Bears have been trying to get a new stadium built in the Chicago suburb of Arlington Heights, but have not been successful yet.
Read more HERE
UPDATE (February 20, 20206):
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (ADAMS) – A committee in the Indiana House has voted unanimously to approve a bill to create the Northwest Indiana Stadium Authority to build a multi-billion-dollar stadium for the Chicago Bears.
Indiana would put around $1 billion in public funding into the stadium, and House Speaker Todd Huston says the Bears have committed $2 billion.
The state would own the stadium, which would be built in Hammond, about 30-minutes from Chicago, and the team would lease it. Huston says they will also invest in infrastructure around the stadium through an amended or renegotiated lease of the Indiana Toll Road.
Read more HERE
ORIGINAL POST:
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (ADAMS) – The Northwest Indiana Stadium Authority to lure the Chicago Bears over the border has been approved by the Indiana Senate.
The vote was overwhelmingly in favor, with Republican Senators Liz Brown of Fort Wayne and Gary Byrne of Byrneville casting the only no votes.
The public body would have the power to acquire land, issue long-term bonds, and finance the stadium’s construction. The Bears have threatened to move to northwest Indiana in their effort to get a new football stadium built in Arlington Heights, Illinois.,Read more HERE
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