UPDATE (October 30, 2026):
CHICAGO (ADAMS) – The Chicago Bears reportedly are close to an agreement that would keep the team in Illinois.
Multiple reports indicate the organization is moving toward construction of a new stadium in Arlington Heights after previously exploring sites in northwest Indiana.
Proposed legislation would help facilitate the project through a stadium authority structure.
The Bears have not officially announced a final agreement.
Read more here
UPDATE (September 10, 2026):
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (ADAMS) – Indiana is still waiting for a decision from the Chicago Bears on whether the team will build a new stadium in northwest Indiana. Meanwhile, $300 million from an Indiana Toll Road deal remains unused in a state trust account, according to reporting from the Indiana Capital Chronicle.
The state received the first payment in June as part of an agreement allowing the toll road operator to raise rates at least twice a year. The next $200 million payment is due in June 2027, with another $200 million due in 2028.
Read more here
UPDATE (August 28, 2026):
ATLANTA (ADAMS) – NFL commissioner Roger Goodell believes Illinois is still in play as the home of the Chicago Bears’ new stadium.
Speaking Wednesday at the league owners’ meeting, Goodell said he recently met with Illinois lawmakers, and they still have an opportunity to make something happen.
The Bears’ official stance is that they’re eyeing one of two sites in Hammond, Indiana, for the venue due to difficulties in getting approval to build on team-owned land in Arlington Heights.
Read more HERE
UPDATE (August 18, 2026):
CHICAGO (ADAMS) – Chicago Bears owner George McCaskey is doubling down on the team’s plans to build a stadium in Indiana.
McCaskey said during the broadcast of his team’s preseason game over the weekend that they identified the Lost Marsh Golf Course in Hammond as a viable site, and are performing due diligence on the nearby Wolf Lake terminal area.
The process is being called deliberate, and the team is urging fans to be patient.
Read more HERE
UPDATE (June 24, 2026):
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (ADAMS) – No deal is final yet, but Indiana Governor Mike Braun says “it looks good” that the Chicago Bears will be moving to a new stadium to be built in Hammond.
His comments followed remarks by Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, who says he has doubts about the new stadium in northwest Indiana.
The Bears are saying they want a final decision to be made on a new stadium by early this summer. The NFL team has said they are going to leave Soldier Field soon.
Read more HERE
UPDATE (June 8, 2026):
CHICAGO (ADAMS) – The NFL’s Chicago Bears say they are advancing the plans for a new domed stadium in northwest Indiana in the suburb of Hammond.
The Bears say “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.”
Indiana Governor Mike Braun released a statement saying, “Hoosiers, help me welcome the Chicago Bears to our great state!” He went on to say they are looking 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.”
Read more HERE
UPDATE (June 2, 2026):
HAMMOND, Ind. (ADAMS) – Hammond Mayor Tom McDermott believes the northwest Indiana city will become the new home for the NFL’s Chicago Bears. McDermott says he thinks Illinois is “out of the picture” after lawmakers adjourned their spring session early Monday without an agreement on proposals that were aimed at keeping the Bears in the suburb of Arlington Heights.
Team officials say they will finalize their evaluation of Arlington Heights and Hammond either late this spring or early in the summer and “will provide an update when we have a decision to share.” Indiana lawmakers approved a billion dollars in taxpayer money for the stadium district infrastructure in late February.
Read more HERE
UPDATE (February 27, 2026):
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (ADAMS) – Governor Mike Braun has signed the bill that supports bringing the Chicago Bears to the Hoosier state.
The Indiana Senate passed the bill after approving amendments made in the House. On Thursday, Governor Braun signed it into law- creating the framework to build a stadium for the Bears in Hammond. Governor Braun also appeared on “The Pat McAfee Show” on Thursday to discuss the measure to relocate the team, which he says will bring global events and jobs to the state.
Read more HERE
UPDATE (February 26, 2026):
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (ADAMS) – The bid by the state of Indiana to convince the Chicago Bears to move to Hammond is almost on the desk of Governor Mike Braun.
The bill will be up for a final vote in the Indiana Senate on Thursday to create the Northwest Indiana Stadium Authority.
That would result in a new dome stadium being built near the shore of Lake Michigan in Hammond. The Bears have been trying to get a new stadium built in the Chicago suburb of Arlington Heights, but have not been successful yet.
Read more HERE
UPDATE (February 20, 20206):
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (ADAMS) – A committee in the Indiana House has voted unanimously to approve a bill to create the Northwest Indiana Stadium Authority to build a multi-billion-dollar stadium for the Chicago Bears.
Indiana would put around $1 billion in public funding into the stadium, and House Speaker Todd Huston says the Bears have committed $2 billion.
The state would own the stadium, which would be built in Hammond, about 30-minutes from Chicago, and the team would lease it. Huston says they will also invest in infrastructure around the stadium through an amended or renegotiated lease of the Indiana Toll Road.
Read more HERE
ORIGINAL POST:
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (ADAMS) – The Northwest Indiana Stadium Authority to lure the Chicago Bears over the border has been approved by the Indiana Senate.
The vote was overwhelmingly in favor, with Republican Senators Liz Brown of Fort Wayne and Gary Byrne of Byrneville casting the only no votes.
The public body would have the power to acquire land, issue long-term bonds, and finance the stadium’s construction. The Bears have threatened to move to northwest Indiana in their effort to get a new football stadium built in Arlington Heights, Illinois.,Read more HERE
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