Indiana City Courts Chicago Bears' Stadium Move, Citing Tax Certainty and Cooperation

Hammond, Indiana, is positioning itself as a serious contender to become the new home for the Chicago Bears, a move that could end the team's 55-year tenure at Soldier Field. Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr. stated that the project is progressing and that the city has been actively preparing for such an opportunity. While past discussions in the late 1990s about the Bears moving to Indiana did not materialize, the current talks are described as significant.

McDermott indicated that the potential stadium sites, including the Lost Marsh and Lake Terminal locations, became viable due to extensive efforts to assemble and clean up land. "For the first two or three terms, in cooperation with the state government, we started assembling dozens and dozens of acres and we got it to where we have about 300 acres available," he said. Initially, these land acquisition efforts were aimed at improving the quality of life and revitalizing underutilized areas, with no specific expectation of hosting an NFL team.

A key factor making Indiana attractive to the Bears is its more favorable property tax structure compared to Illinois. Indiana's constitution enshrines property tax caps, offering what McDermott calls "property tax certainty," a significant consideration for the team. "And in Indiana, ours are enshrined in our constitution. You can't pay over 1%, 2% or 3% depending on your classification," McDermott explained.

Heather Ennis, president and CEO of the Northwest Indiana Forum, noted that the region has already seen substantial investment, with over $30 billion committed in the last 10 months, independent of any Bears deal. This indicates a broader economic confidence in Northwest Indiana.

McDermott also emphasized the unprecedented level of bipartisan cooperation involved in the stadium discussions. He highlighted seamless coordination among federal, state, and local officials, including U.S. senators, the governor, and local representatives, regardless of party affiliation. "I'm in my sixth term and I've never seen the coordination across federal, state, bipartisan, Republican and Democratic lines, everybody working in lockstep," McDermott stated.

The significant progress has led to a shift from initial skepticism, particularly given the failed talks in the 1990s. McDermott recalled that serious consideration became apparent when a large company in Hammond was contacted by the state regarding property acquisition, confirming the project's momentum. "When I started to finally feel like this was the real deal, I remember there was a big company in my city. But a big company called my office and it panicked because they got calls from the state of Indiana about their property being acquired. And that's when I was like, 'Okay,'" McDermott said.

Indiana House Speaker Todd Huston supported Senate Bill 27, which established a funding mechanism for a new stadium. He described the project as a "transformational opportunity for Northwest Indiana" with the potential to create jobs, attract visitors, and foster generational benefits.

The city's infrastructure is also seen as an advantage. McDermott pointed out that Hammond's location at the southern tip of Lake Michigan means utility infrastructure is well-developed, which is crucial for a stadium project requiring substantial power and services. While highway and road improvements are needed, $600 million has been allocated within the deal for such upgrades.

Ennis echoed this, calling Indiana "the crossroads of America" with robust highway and rail connectivity, including commuter rail extensions to the region. She asserted that Northwest Indiana possesses the infrastructure to support such a large-scale project.

Despite the potential move, the team's name is not expected to change. Bears chairman George McCaskey has stated, "We will be the Chicago Bears whether we’re in Arlington or whether we’re in Hammond." McDermott also confirmed that Northwest Indiana is historically a region with strong Bears fandom.

Regarding the current status of negotiations, McDermott described the situation as being "in the red zone," indicating that the project is close to completion but still requires finalization by Bears leadership. "The ball is 100% in their court," he said, acknowledging that the ultimate decision rests with Bears chairman McCaskey and president Kevin Warren. Ennis added that Indiana's prepared environment would be highly advantageous for the Bears.

The Bears' lease at Soldier Field extends through 2033, but an early termination clause exists. The proposed stadium site in Hammond is approximately 20 miles south of Soldier Field, while Arlington Heights, Illinois, another potential location, is about 30 miles northwest of Chicago.