Illinois is going to need a Caleb Williams-type fourth-quarter comeback to keep the Chicago Bears in the state.
On Thursday morning, Indiana Senate Bill 27, which establishes a stadium authority to negotiate and create a stadium for the Chicago Bears, passed out of committee with a 27-0 vote.
It’s important to note this is not a done deal, but it is a huge swing toward Indiana and the Wolf Lake area in Hammond as the site for the Bears’ new stadium.
At the same time, an Illinois committee hearing on their Bears stadium bill set for 8 a.m. in Springfield was canceled.
This sets off a storm of reactions, but these events don’t set anything in stone yet.
The team issued a statement following Indiana’s move stating, “We are committed to finishing the remaining site-specific necessary due diligence to support our vision to build a world-class stadium near the Wolf Lake area in Hammond, Indiana.”
Illinois isn’t out of it either; committee hearings and meetings are canceled all the time. It’s part of how government works.
However, the clock is ticking, and the speed and seriousness with which Indiana has moved to put forward a competitive offer, with a site, and attractive terms, has swung the pendulum their way and put pressure on Illinois to negotiate and get their deal done. It was reported as “close” just a week and a half ago.
Stay tuned.
Full team statement:
“The passage of SB 27 would mark the most meaningful step forward in our stadium planning efforts to date. We are committed to finishing the remaining site-specific necessary due diligence to support our vision to build a world-class stadium near the Wolf Lake area in Hammond, Indiana. We appreciate the leadership shown by Governor Braun, Speaker Huston, Senator Mishler and members of the Indiana General Assembly in establishing this critical framework and path forward to deliver a premier venue for all of Chicagoland and a destination for Bears fans and visitors from across the globe. We value our partnership and look forward to continuing to build our working relationship together.”
Indiana proposal terms:
UPDATE: Gov. Pritzker’s communications chief responds:
UPDATE: Mayor Lara Sanoica of Rolling Meadows, which is just west of Arlington Heights, released a statement this afternoon regarding the Bears’ announcement.
Here’s what was true this morning, and is still true now: There was not going to be a deal done today.
I am disappointed in today’s announcement by the Chicago Bears. There is no time left for our region to remain divided and there is no time left to stay on the sidelines. Our region and our leaders must speak with one voice.
Here’s what else is still true: Our region has spent three years preparing for this project. The Arlington Heights site is shovel-ready. The Mega Projects Bill is nearly agreed. We need a legislative solution. Everything else is noise.
