CHICAGO — Senate Bill 27, which creates various funding mechanisms to entice the Chicago Bears to build a new stadium in northwest Indiana, passed that state's House of Representatives by a vote of 95-4. Following Tuesday's passage of the legislation, the bill now returns to the Indiana Senate for review and approval.
In a statement released by the Bears on Feb. 19, the team said Indiana State Bill 27 (SB 27) "marks the most meaningful step forward in our stadium planning efforts to date." The bill would create the Northwest Indiana Stadium Authority to facilitate building a new stadium by enabling the authority to acquire land, issue long-term bonds and finance construction.
"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," the statement from the Bears continued.
Since then, Illinois lawmakers, including Gov. JB Pritzker, have hinted that the legislative moves happening in Indiana do not necessarily mean the team is moving. A hearing on proposed legislation to keep the Bears in Illinois was canceled last Thursday in Springfield. Matt Hill, deputy chief of staff for communication for Pritzker, said on social media the Bears had requested the "pause" on the hearing.
Last week, Pritzker said he and state lawmakers have been meeting with the team since December and those negotiations were pointing toward the Bears staying in Illinois, specifically at the former Arlington Park racetrack site in Arlington Heights.
In addition, Arlington Heights officials have said the team has repeatedly assured them a final decision has not been made. At the same time, with SB27 continuing to push forward in Indiana, they did express the "need for urgency on this matter." Village Manager Randy Recklaus meet late last week with representatives from the Illinois Governor's office, Illinois House and Senate leadership, and the Chicago Bears.
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In a statement released by Indiana House Democratic Caucus following Tuesday's vote, State Representative Carolyn Jackson (D-Hammond) said a "collaborative effort" has helped advance the initiative, emphasizing the potential economic benefits to the state and specifically Northwest Indiana. The bill will proceed to Indiana Governor Mike Braun's desk for signing into law if it secures final Senate approval.
"This is the first time I’ve seen local officials and the state come together to make a dream a reality in such a short time," Jackson said. "Everybody wants progress, and I am thankful Northwest Indiana has been bold enough to step toward it."
Jackson noted that the region she represents was once the "driver" of Indiana's economy until a number of industries left the area.
"We have worked hard to rebound from those losses, and the Chicago Bears have recognized our hard work," Jackson said "Northwest Indiana is Bears country."