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CHICAGO — The Chicago Bears are inching closer to potentially relocating to Indiana, as recent developments indicate.
Indiana’s House lawmakers have given the green light to a significant $1 billion investment plan aimed at constructing a stadium in Hammond. This move marks a crucial step forward in the process.
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The proposed legislation will now advance to the state Senate for further consideration.
Although the Bears have expressed interest in the Wolf Lake site, the team hasn’t made any official commitment to the move yet.
Meanwhile, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker remains optimistic about the team’s future in the state. “In Illinois, we are engaged in very positive discussions with the Bears, and I believe that over time, you’ll witness progress here,” he stated.
If the Indiana Senate passes the bill as expected, it heads straight to the governor’s desk for a signature.
“The excitement around northwest Indiana is at an all-time high. Every time we check another box, everybody gets a little more excited about this opportunity,” said Phil Taillon, with South Shore Convention and Visitors Authority.
Former Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn is kicking off an online petition to keep the Bears in Illinois.
Quinn will be out at the George Halas statue in front of Soldier Field to get the word out about the beardownforillinois.com petition.
He says he wants fans to band together and tell the owners to keep the team in Illinois.
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