Bears board votes to advance Northwest Indiana stadium project

Days after the Illinois legislature punted on legislation for a Bears stadium in Arlington Heights, team officials said Friday they’re going to Indiana.

“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,” according to the statement from Chairman George McCaskey and President/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.”

The statement, sent 11:19 a.m., comes days after a marathon end of session in Springfield where lawmakers declined to move legislation long-sought by the team for a long-term property tax break at the 326-acre Arlington Park property purchased in 2023.

Arlington Heights Mayor Jim Tinaglia didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment Friday morning, but previously said the outcome in Springfield Monday morning was “clearly a fumble for the state of Illinois.”

Check back to dailyherald.com for updates.