Chicago Bears to advance stadium project in Indiana

Chicago Bears to advance stadium project in Indiana

June 5, 2026/
Spread the love

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

(The Center Square) – The Chicago Bears are moving forward with plans to build a stadium in Northwest Indiana.

Bears Chairman George McCaskey and President & CEO Kevin Warren said Friday that the team’s board of directors voted on Thursday to advance their stadium development project in Hammond, Indiana, with the exact site to be selected.

“We believe a world-class stadium project in Hammond will transform the region, connecting Northwest Indiana to the South Side of Chicago through the Loop and across neighborhoods and suburbs stretching north of the city,” McCaskey and Warren said in a statement.

The announcement comes four days after the Illinois legislature adjourned without advancing stadium bills.

Indiana Gov. Mike Braun asked Hoosiers to help him welcome the Bears.

“We look forward to building a partnership as strong as the ’85 Bears defense, creating opportunities and economic growth that will benefit our state and the Bears organization for decades to come,” Braun said in a social media post.

On Feb. 26, Braun signed legislation creating a framework for a new Bears stadium in Hammond. Indiana Senate Bill 27 provides for a 1% food and beverage tax in Lake and Porter counties, a 5% hotel tax in Lake County, a 12% ticket tax and the capture of new property taxes at the development.

Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch said Illinois focused on the needs of working families and not taxpayer-funded stadiums.

“Illinois remains open to ongoing efforts to secure the Bears in Illinois. However, it will take time to get it right,” Welch said in a statement.

A spokesperson for Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson said the announcement is not surprising.

“It’s also not surprising that Bears officials have stated this vote does not mean a move to Hammond is a done deal,” the spokesperson said in a statement.

The mayor’s office said the city will continue to engage in discussions until there are shovels in the ground in Hammond.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

U.S. adds 172k jobs in 'strong' May report, unemployment remains at 4.3%

U.S. adds 172k jobs in ‘strong’ May report, unemployment remains at 4.3%

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. economy added 172,000 jobs in May's better-than-expected report while the unemployment rate remained at 4.3%, according to data released Friday by the U.S....
Researchers put a number on how much debt U.S. can carry

Researchers put a number on how much debt U.S. can carry

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square The United States has about 20 years to change course on its national debt before it reaches the estimated limits of its debt capacity, according...
Colorado governor vetoes legislation allowing ICE to be sued

Colorado governor vetoes legislation allowing ICE to be sued

By Liam HibbertThe Center Square Colorado Gov. Jared Polis vetoed a Democrat-backed bill on Wednesday that would have allowed citizens to sue immigration enforcement officers for civil rights violations. The...
Ballots processed slowly as Californians await 36-day count

Ballots processed slowly as Californians await 36-day count

By Chris WoodwardThe Center Square It will be more than a month before Californians see the official results from Tuesday's primary. That is especially the case in the races for...

WATCH: WA mayor stands by pro-ICE, anti-Antifa proclamations

By Carleen JohnsonThe Center Square The city of Battle Ground has been getting more attention this week than the small southwest Washington community typically receives, due to national coverage of...
U.S. House narrowly passes bill to fund USDA, FDA in 2027

U.S. House narrowly passes bill to fund USDA, FDA in 2027

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square Less than four months before fiscal year 2027 begins, the U.S. House passed the second of the 12 annual appropriations bills that will fund the...
Military advocates concerned about active-duty voters

Military advocates concerned about active-duty voters

By Madeline ShannonThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court could eliminate grace periods for mail-in ballots for overseas voters, officials from voting rights advocacy organizations said on Thursday. In a...
Ruling: Illinois Supreme Court likely overstepped in ousting of Cook County judge

Ruling: Illinois Supreme Court likely overstepped in ousting of Cook County judge

By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square A federal judge says he believes a Cook County judge has leveled serious accusations against the Illinois Supreme Court for trampling his...
Illinois passes law to restrict new federal migrant detention centers

Illinois passes law to restrict new federal migrant detention centers

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Lawmakers passed a bill last weekend that will heavily restrict where immigration detention centers can operate in...
Alcohol tax amendments may be unconstitutional

Alcohol tax amendments may be unconstitutional

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois government officials have proposed amending the way the state taxes alcohol, but the changes may not...
Illinois quick hits: Lawsuit filed over drunk driving deal involving noncitizen

Illinois quick hits: Lawsuit filed over drunk driving deal involving noncitizen

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Lawsuit filed over drunk driving deal involving noncitizen A Freedom of Information Act lawsuit filed with Urbana, Illinois, claims the city...
Michigan township denies solar expansion after months of controversy

Michigan township denies solar expansion after months of controversy

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square After months of public opposition, a southwest Michigan township has voted to deny an expansion for a utility-scale solar project. The Fayette Township Planning Commission...
Illinois to regulate intoxicating hemp products, loosen up on cannabis

Illinois to regulate intoxicating hemp products, loosen up on cannabis

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Headed to the governor’s desk is legislation that will regulate and restrict some intoxicating hemp products and...
Nevada gubernatorial candidates clash over Trump's policies

Nevada gubernatorial candidates clash over Trump’s policies

By Liam HibbertThe Center Square Nevada’s gubernatorial primaries are teasers to a competitive November election that is expected to be decided by narrow margins in the swing state. Gov. Joe...
Feds cut funding for Hawaii Medicaid fraud unit

Feds cut funding for Hawaii Medicaid fraud unit

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Federal officials decertified Hawaii's Medicaid Fraud Control Unit on Thursday, citing concerns over a lack of accountability in the program. Every state that administers Medicaid...