ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL — It appears a decision on where the Chicago Bears will build a new stadium is forthcoming. League sources have told ESPN an announcement on the team's future home will come in the next few weeks.
"If Illinois doesn't pass legislation for Arlington Heights soon, sources believe the Bears are likely to be Indiana bound," said Adam Schefter, ESPN senior NFL Insider, on Monday.
Schefter said Monday two proposed sites for a new stadium in Chicago are not considered "feasible," according to the league sources. A site next to the team's current home at Soldier Field is off the table due to "political reasons," Schefter reports. The sources also said a project to build a new stadium at the former Michael Reese Hospital site in Bronzeville has been rejected by both the NFL and the Bears.
Last month, Indiana Gov. Mike Braun signed off on Senate Bill 27, which passed the state's senate by a vote of 45-4 after being advanced by the Indiana House of Representatives by a 95-4 vote. The bill is intended for the state to commit up to $1 billion to help finance the project in Hammond.
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 constructio
HB910, a megaproject bill created by Illinois lawmakers to counter the Indiana legislation, passed out of committee in February before the adjournment of that legislative session in Springfield.
The Illinois bill allows for any megaproject involving an investment of $500 million or more to negotiate a freeze on its property tax assessment.