HAMMOND — In a move that could permanently alter the landscape of the NFL, Indiana Governor Mike Braun and top state legislative leaders announced a comprehensive framework Thursday to build a world-class stadium for the Chicago Bears in Northwest Indiana.
The announcement marks the most significant progress to date in the team’s multi-year search for a new home, as the franchise explores a move across the state line to a newly identified site near Wolf Lake in Hammond.
The deal hinges on Senate Bill 27, which passed out of the House Ways and Means Committee unanimously Thursday morning. The legislation establishes the Northwest Indiana Stadium Authority, a public body empowered to:
- Issue bonds to finance the construction.
- Acquire and manage land for the stadium site.
- Negotiate a 35-year lease with the Bears organization.
Governor Braun described the project as a “public-private partnership” that would allow Indiana to “move at the speed of business.” Under the current proposal, the Bears would reportedly invest $2 billion in the development, with the team potentially owning the stadium for just $1 once the bonds are fully paid off.
The targeted location near Wolf Lake straddles the Indiana-Illinois border, offering a strategic vantage point along Interstate 90. The Bears organization confirmed Thursday that they are “committed to finishing the remaining site-specific necessary due diligence” at the Hammond location.
“The passage of SB 27 would mark the most meaningful step forward in our stadium planning efforts to date,” the Chicago Bears said in a formal statement. “We appreciate the leadership shown by Governor Braun, Speaker Huston, and Senator Mishler in establishing this critical framework.”
State leaders are hailing the move as a “transformational investment” that will spur population growth and tourism in a region long overshadowed by its neighbor to the west.
House Speaker Todd Huston (R-Fishers) called it a “historic project” and a “tremendous team effort” to revitalize the region.
Senator Ryan Mishler (R-Mishawaka), the bill’s author, noted the legislation is a vital step in demonstrating “why Indiana would be a great place for the Bears.”
Hammond Mayor Tom McDermott expressed his gratitude to state leaders, stating the project “will change Hammond and Northwest Indiana for future generations.”
While the committee’s vote is a major hurdle cleared, the bill must now pass the full Indiana House of Representatives before reaching the Governor’s desk. Meanwhile, the Bears’ lease at Chicago’s Soldier Field remains active through 2033, meaning any potential move would likely involve complex negotiations regarding the team’s existing debt and departure timelines.
