Dan Carden The Time of Northwest Indiana
Hammond will be the new home of the Chicago Bears if the professional football team decides to relocate to Indiana.
The House Ways and Means Committee unanimously approved legislation Thursday selecting Lake County's most populous city as the only location where Indiana will support the construction of an NFL-quality stadium, dashing the hopes of Gary and Portage.
House Speaker Todd Huston, R-Fishers, the sponsor of Senate Bill 27, said Indiana officials have had “excellent conversations” with the Bears and are “forging a relationship that will be the foundation of a public-private partnership leading to construction of a world-class stadium — setting a new standard for event-day experiences.”
He said the Bears are willing to invest more than $2 billion into a Northwest Indiana stadium. And while work remains to get the project into the end zone, “there’s a shared commitment between both these parties to make this happen.”
“Today is a historic day. One we look forward to building upon,” Huston said. “What a day for Northwest Indiana. What a day for Indiana.”
A statement subsequently issued by the Bears confirmed the team’s interest in constructing a new stadium in Hammond pending final approval of the stadium legislation by the Indiana General Assembly next week, and its enactment by Gov. Mike Braun.
“The passage of SB 27 would mark the most meaningful step forward in our stadium planning efforts to date. 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,” the Bears said.
Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr. told the panel that potentially bringing the Bears to Hammond, which is southeast of the city, is a "once-in-a-generation" opportunity for the city, Northwest Indiana, and indeed, the entire state of Indiana.
"And it’s fitting we're here talking about this on 219 Day — a day that celebrates Northwest Indiana — because the Region has always delivered for this state," McDermott said, referencing the unofficial Feb. 19 holiday tied to the Region's area code.
As first reported [by The Times of Northwest Indiana on Dec. 18](https://nwitimes.com/news/local/lake/hammond/article_5df8bc0f-b65e-40a5-bca5-5210d8e7c8c1.html), Hammond was announced as the leading option for a potential stadium site.
"Not since U.S. Steel built Gary Works more than a century ago have we seen a project with this kind of economic potential and generational impact. And Hammond is ready. Hammond is ready to partner with the state of Indiana. Hammond is ready to partner with the Chicago Bears. Basically, Hammond will do whatever it takes to help make this project a success."
The legislation, modeled on the 2005 Indiana law that led to the construction of Lucas Oil Stadium for the Indianapolis Colts, calls for a new Northwest Indiana Stadium Board to issue bonds to finance a Bears stadium in Hammond and associated infrastructure.
The money will be paid back using tax revenues from a special stadium district in Hammond, a 12% ticket tax on stadium events, potential countywide 1% food and beverage taxes in Lake and Porter counties, doubling Lake County's innkeeper's tax, a renegotiated lease of the Indiana Toll Road, and a variety of other funding mechanisms.
“As you look at the numbers, we’ve been very careful and cautious as we’ve forecast this,” Huston said. “This deal pencils out to be a great one for Northwest Indiana and the state.”
Notably, a hearing scheduled for Thursday at the Illinois Capitol on a potential financing plan for a Bears stadium in Arlington Heights that’s been languishing for years was canceled shortly before the Indiana House committee convened.
Matt Hill, spokesman for Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, said the decision to cancel the hearing followed a request by the Bears. But the team's potential new commitment to Indiana was unexpected.
"Illinois was ready to move this bill forward. After a productive three hour meeting yesterday, the Bears leaders requested the Illinois General Assembly pause the hearing to make further tweaks to the bill. This morning, we were surprised to see a statement lauding Indiana and ignoring Illinois," Hill said.
Indiana’s governor sees that as a good sign that the financing framework in Senate Bill 27 will lead to a final stadium deal in Hammond.
“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,” Braun said.
Lake County officials, including Commissioner Mike Repay, D-Hammond; Council President Christine Cid, D-East Chicago; and Councilman Randy Niemeyer, R-Cedar Lake, each assured the legislative committee that they’re prepared to take the steps needed to support the financing of a Bears stadium in Hammond.
“Establishing a stadium in Northwest Indiana will be transformational, driving economic growth not only for our Region, but for the entire state,” Cid said. “The fan base is already in place and the enthusiasm and momentum behind this effort are real.”
“Over the past 21 years in my position, I have not encountered a project with this level of promise, and I have never been more energized by the opportunity to see a vision become reality. I truly believe this initiative represents a defining moment for Northwest Indiana, one that generates opportunity, strengthens our community and delivers a lasting impact across the state.”
Porter County Council President Andy Vasquez and Valparaiso Mayor Jon Costas likewise said they’re on board because a Hammond stadium will create good jobs and new economic opportunities throughout the entire Region.
“In addition to my role as mayor, my son and I are small business owners who operate five restaurants in Valparaiso. We believe that in light of the expected economic boost to the city, using a portion of a 1% food and beverage county tax is a modest ask by the Legislature to make this deal work. And because our city draws customers from a large market area, the impact on our citizens would be minimal compared to the benefits,” Costas said.
“You know, economic development is a regional game. An investment of this magnitude raises all boats in Northwest Indiana and provides a myriad of job opportunities for generations to come.”
The Bears stadium project also was endorsed at the Statehouse by representatives of the Northwest Indiana Forum, South Shore Convention and Visitors Authority, and the Northwest Indiana Professional Sports Development Commission, which was established last year by state Rep. Earl Harris Jr., D-East Chicago, to explore the possibility of luring pro sports to the Region and seems to have succeeded beyond his wildest dreams.
"Bringing professional sports to Northwest Indiana — and all the economic benefits that come with them — was a priority for my father when he served in the Statehouse, and I'm proud to take part in continuing that work,” Harris said.
"Senate Bill 27 is a bipartisan effort that creates a path toward prosperity in Northwest Indiana, and I look forward to working with my colleagues in the House and Senate to get this to the governor's desk."
Even Portage Mayor Austin Bonta, whose “Halas Harbor” stadium proposal likely never will be developed, deemed the selection of Hammond for a new Bears stadium “a huge day in the history of Chicagoland's football team.”
“Bears fans in Portage and across our entire Region are excited about seeing this next chapter of our team's story commence, and we'll be following the progress with excitement from today to hopefully when we finally step into the stadium for the first game there,” Bonta said.
Gary Mayor Eddie Melton also is ready to support the Hammond stadium, so long as its financing doesn't cut into money previously earmarked for the new Lake County Convention Center in the Steel City.
"While I would be less than honest if I said there isn’t some level of disappointment, I am encouraged to see meaningful progress in this process. Major decisions like this require movement, clarity, and commitment — and today represents a step forward for Northwest Indiana," Melton said.
"A development of this magnitude creates a rising tide for the entire region. Gary is uniquely positioned to amplify this economic momentum — serving as the western gateway to the Indiana Dunes National Park, served by three major interstate corridors and an international airport."
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