Chicago Bears Are ‘80% of the Way’ Toward Hammond Stadium: Sports Consultant
The team committed $2 billion to the project and still may return to Illinois if lawmakers can provide property tax certainty.
- The Chicago Bears board of directors voted Thursday to advance plans for a new stadium in Hammond, Indiana, positioning the team to play home games out of state for the first time in its 106-year history.
- Indiana lawmakers authorized a stadium authority three months ago under Senate Enrolled Act 27, creating a specialized district backed by taxes on admissions, hotels, and tolls to support the $2 billion development deal.
- Lake and Porter counties must adopt a 1% food and beverage tax and a 5% innkeepers tax to fund the project, though local officials caution the process will take considerable time before the June 30, 2027 deadline.
- Illinois state Rep. Dan Ugaste announced legislation Monday aimed at keeping the team in-state, arguing the property tax system flaws affect all residents and businesses, not just the franchise.
- Arlington Heights remains a potential option for the team if Illinois provides property tax certainty on the 326-acre plot the franchise owns, though Hammond development work now takes priority.
29 Articles
29 Articles
Chicago Bears Are ‘80% of the Way’ Toward Hammond Stadium: Sports Consultant
Chicago Bears Are ‘80% of the Way’ Toward Hammond Stadium: Sports Consultant Blake Thor Tue, 06/09/2026 - 18:51 The Chicago Bears will build their next stadium in Hammond, Indiana — maybe. The team made the announcement Friday after years of negotiations with Illinois state lawmakers over a deal to build a stadium in either Arlington Heights or on the Chicago lakefront. In the meantime, Indiana lawmakers quickly approved the incentives Bears le…
Capitol Fa - Your Illinois News Radar » Isabel’s morning briefingCapitolFax.com
* ICYMI: Chicago Bears considering second Hammond, Indiana stadium site. NBC Chicago… Sources familiar with negotiations between the Bears and Indiana officials told NBC Chicago Political Reporter Mary Ann Ahern that the team is eyeing a second Hammond site. Ahern’s sources indicate the second site is located near Wolf Lake, but did not offer specific [...]
Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr. confident Chicago Bears will move to Indiana
The Chicago Bears announced last week they are making Hammond, Indiana, their priority for a new stadium, and while it's not a done deal yet, Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr. said he's confident the Bears will soon be moving there.
Arlington Heights mayor urges Pritzker to 'coach' legislators on Bears stadium deal
Arlington Heights Mayor Jim Tinaglia urged Gov. JB Pritzker to take a more active coaching role in uniting Illinois legislators to pass Bears-friendly stadium legislation after team officials announced they are advancing a Hammond, Indiana stadium plan.
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