Chicago Bears Stadium Bill Includes Union-Friendly Language

Amended legislation removes prohibition on project labor agreements, adding more state sponsors.

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

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The amended Senate Bill 27, which would establish a stadium governing body and require a 35-year lease with the NFL for a new Chicago Bears stadium in Northwest Indiana, has removed language that would have prohibited the team from entering into project-labor agreements with trade unions. The bill has gained more state representatives as sponsors since a preferred site was announced next to Wolf Lake in Hammond, but it has not advanced since its first House reading on February 2.

Why it matters

The inclusion of union-friendly language in the stadium bill is seen as a win for organized labor in the region, ensuring local workers will be employed on the project. However, the addition of a 1% food and beverage tax for Porter County has raised concerns about the burden on taxpayers.

The details

The amended bill removed language that would have prohibited the Chicago Bears from entering into project-labor agreements with trade unions for construction of the new stadium. State Senator Rodney Pol, a cosponsor, said he worked with legislative leaders to get the non-PLA language removed, as he wanted to ensure the stadium would be built with local, qualified labor. The bill would establish a three-member authority to oversee the stadium project, with the power to finance, construct and lease the facility. Under the bill, the NFL team would enter a 35-year lease, with an option to purchase the stadium for $1 after the lease term.

  • The amended Senate Bill 27 was announced on February 20, 2026.
  • The bill received its first reading in the House on February 2, 2026.
  • A preferred stadium site next to Wolf Lake in Hammond was announced on February 16, 2026.

The players

Rodney Pol

A Democratic state senator from Portage, Indiana who is a cosponsor of the stadium bill. He worked to remove language prohibiting project labor agreements.

Randy Palmateer

The business manager of the Northwestern Indiana Building and Construction Trades Council, who said he worked with legislative leaders to get the union-friendly language included in the bill.

Todd Huston

The Republican speaker of the Indiana House of Representatives.

Rodric Bray

The Republican president pro tempore of the Indiana Senate.

Mike Braun

The Republican governor of Indiana.

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What they’re saying

“My goal in assisting with this legislation has always been to make sure that if the stadium was going to be built, it was going to be built with local labor and by qualified trades, but I also don't want the brunt of this to be paid for on taxpayers' backs.”

— Rodney Pol, State Senator (Post-Tribune)

“Project labor agreements signed with my building trade Council are commonplace in The Region. They may not be in the rest of the state, but they are up north. We are not getting away from that for no one.”

— Randy Palmateer, Business Manager, Northwestern Indiana Building and Construction Trades Council (Post-Tribune)

What’s next

The stadium bill must still advance through the Indiana House after receiving its first reading on February 2. The Lake County Council has also approved an ordinance requiring project labor agreements for any economic development projects receiving county incentives.

The takeaway

The inclusion of union-friendly language in the Chicago Bears stadium bill represents a win for organized labor in Northwest Indiana, ensuring local workers will be employed on the high-profile project. However, the addition of a new tax to fund the stadium has raised concerns about the burden on taxpayers in the region.