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CHICAGO (WLS) — In a recent communication with Bears season ticket holders, Chicago Bears President Kevin Warren mentioned the possibility of constructing a new stadium in Northwest Indiana. Although he insisted this wasn’t a tactic to pressure Illinois, the situation is evolving to suggest otherwise.
Indiana legislators are swiftly taking action to entice the NFL team, while Illinois officials are actively strategizing to retain the Bears within state lines.
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Wolf Lake in Hammond, Indiana, offers expansive land that experts believe could be ideal for a Bears stadium, and Indiana is working to make the financial terms appealing.
On Thursday, the state senate finance committee in Indianapolis unanimously passed a proposal to form a Northwest Indiana Stadium Authority, mirroring the approach taken for the Indianapolis Colts’ stadium.
“To my knowledge, this is patterned after the Lucas Oil Stadium deal. That’s the framework we’re utilizing,” explained State Senator Chris Garten from Indiana District 45.
While Indiana lawmakers are moving quickly, Illinois lawmakers seem to have changed their tune. While the Bears would pay several billions dollars to build a stadium in Arlington Heights, they say lawmakers had no plans to consider paying for the necessary infrastructure improvements in 2026.
“It’s amazing how quickly this has turned around,” Sportscorp Ltd CEO Marc Ganis said. “From two years of no activity, to activity the Tazmanian Devil would be proud of.”
The Bears’ strategy appears similar to the Kansas City Chiefs. After talks stalled to stay in Missouri at Arrowhead Stadium, they are now planning to move across state lines to build a new stadium in Kansas.
Indiana Governor Mike Braun is hoping for a big political win by luring the Bears across the border.
Danny Ecker has followed the Bears stadium talks for Crain’s Chicago Business.
“Illinois Governor JB Pritzker now says he’s open to helping keep the Bears by funding infrastructure improvements in Arlington Heights,” Ecker said. “It’s uncertain how quickly the legislature is willing to move forward, however.”
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“Indiana is gonna come in strong so it’s going to be an interesting next six weeks,” Ganis said.
Ganis says the Bears success on the field this season gives them a stronger bargaining position as well. He says they have become America’s team, and Illinois doesn’t want to lose America’s team.
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