George McCaskey
Getty
Chicago Bears board members Patrick and George McCaskey.
The Chicago Bears now have the option to relocate to Indiana, but there are several reasons NFL fans in the Windy City needn’t worry about new developments.
The Indiana State Legislature, more specifically the House Committee on Ways and Means, unanimously passed a bill on Thursday, February 19 that allows the Bears to build a new stadium in Hammond, Indiana.
Courtney Cronin of ESPN reported a statement the franchise issued on the bill’s passage Thursday.
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, Indiana.
We appreciate the leadership shown by Governor Braun, Speaker Huston, Senator Mishler and members of the Indiana General Assembly in establishing this critical framework and path forward to deliver a premier venue for all of Chicagoland and a destination for Bears fans and visitors from across the globe. We value our partnership and look forward to continuing to build our working relationship together.
Some interested parties have taken the legislative action and subsequent comments from the franchise as evidence that the team is leaving Chicago for a new site across state lines. However, that is far from the truth.
“The Bears have not committed to move to Indiana,” Dan Widerer of The Athletic reported. “The team now has cards in its hands that are valuable to play if desired. But Illinois officials have their opportunity to respond now to the gestures from Indiana to lure the Bears across state lines.”
Bears Still Face Uphill Battle in Attempt to Relocate To Indiana
A Chicago Bears logo at Soldier Field.
GettySoldier Field, home of the Chicago Bears.
Mark Carman of CHGO Sports took to social media on Thursday to weigh in, offering three reasons why Chicagoans need not fret what could be a bluff or a strong-arming of the Illinois State government by the Bears franchise, which is using a thirsty Indiana Legislature to strengthen its negotiating position.
Mark Carman
3 Bears thoughts after digesting the news:
1- They still own the land in Arlington Heights where they want to be.
2- Bears fans overwhelmingly prefer the Bears in ILL.
3- Id be shocked if JB, who is likely running for president, will let an nfl team leave his home state.
“[Three] Bears thoughts after digesting the news: 1- They still own the land in Arlington Heights where they want to be. 2- Bears fans overwhelmingly prefer the Bears in ILL. 3- I’d be shocked if [Governor JB Pritzker], who is likely running for president, will let an NFL team leave his home state. (PS at 9 am I was convinced they were leaving),” Carman posted to X.
As Carman points out, the overwhelming majority of Bears fans living in the city limits of Chicago — or much nearer to them than the newly proposed location in Indiana — is itself a reality that works against the team’s posturing that a move across state lines is actually viable.
In other words, Chicagoland Bears fans who don’t want to see the team go have real power in this equation.
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker Responds to Bears’ Statement
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker
GettyIllinois Governor JB Pritzker.
Another point involves Governor Pritzker, who released a statement on Thursday in the wake of the developments.
“I’m surprised, dismayed, very disappointed in what I saw in a statement,” Pritzker said, per NBC5 Chicago. “It’s very disappointing to hear that they would put that statement out but not say anything about the advancement that’s been made in the state of Illinois. We’re waiting to hear what the Bears would like to do next.”
The Iowa Legislature has also introduced a bill that would clear a path for the Bears to move to that state, though it has not progressed as far as the legislation in Indiana.