Chicago Bears advance plans for new stadium in Indiana

HAMMOND, Ind. (WIFR/WNDU) - The Chicago Bears move forward with plans for a new stadium in Hammond, the organization announced Friday, positioning the team to play its home games in the state of Indiana.

The announcement comes after the Chicago Bears’ Board of Directors voted Thursday to advance the stadium development project in Hammond and after Illinois lawmakers failed to pass an incentive bill for the team’s planned site in Arlington Heights, earlier this week.

“Yesterday, the Chicago Bears Board of Directors met and voted to advance our stadium development project in Hammond, Indiana, with the exact site to be selected,” the team said in a joint statement from Chairman George H. McCaskey and President and CEO Kevin Warren. “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. It will bring Chicagoland together and deliver new opportunities to its residents and businesses.”

This was the first time the Bears’ board voted on any stadium site. The exact location for the site has not yet been selected.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the vote is not a final decision but as one source told Schefter: “Barring anything very strange, it’s a done deal.”

Indiana Gov. Mike Braun issued a statement asking Hoosiers to help him welcome the Chicago Bears to Indiana.

“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. “An NFL franchise in Northwest Indiana will be an economic boost to the entire region like we haven’t seen before. Thank you to Speaker Huston, the legislature, and Mayor McDermott for their partnership. I also want to thank the entire Chicago Bears organization for their partnership and commitment in making this move a reality.”

If the Bears ultimately move to Hammond, Indiana would become home to two NFL franchises, with the Bears joining the Indianapolis Colts in the state.