Chicago Construction News staff writer
Indiana lawmakers approved legislation last week to create a stadium authority that would support construction of a new domed stadium for the Chicago Bears near Wolf Lake in Hammond, just across the Illinois-Indiana state line.
The Indiana House of Representatives unanimously passed Senate Bill 27, which would establish a public stadium authority with the power to acquire land, issue long-term bonds, and finance construction of the stadium and related facilities and committing $2 billion to the project.
The Bears have previously committed $2 billion to a stadium in Arlington Heights, where they own land that once housed the Arlington Park horse racing track.
Meanwhile, an Illinois House committee that had been scheduled to hear legislation to assist the Bears’ effort to build a stadium in Arlington Heights was abruptly canceled Thursday. Officials said the team requested more time to adjust the proposal after meetings with state staff last Wednesday.
The Bears said the passage of the bill marks a key step in their stadium planning.
“The passage of SB 27 would mark the most meaningful step forward in our stadium planning efforts to date,” the team 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, Indiana.”
However, Gov. JB Pritzker, speaking to reporters Thursday morning following an event in Collinsville, said he was “very disappointed” with the statement.
“Let me start with the fact that it was a surprise to us,” Pritzker said, confirming that Illinois officials met for more than three hours with team representatives the day before the statement was released. “To have a statement put out by the Bears . . . they are saying to us that that statement is not some confirmation that they’re moving to Indiana, but rather that Indiana had asked them to say that they’re going to move forward with negotiations.
“We’re waiting to hear from the Bears what they’d like to do next.”
Indiana Governor Mike Braun praised the state’s approach to the project, saying it the pro-growth environment continues to attract major opportunities like the partnership with the Chicago Bears.
“We’ve identified a promising site near Wolf Lake in Hammond and established a broad framework for negotiating a final deal,” he said. “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.”
