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Hammond Today
By the People, for the People
Indiana Lawmakers Vote 95-4 to Advance Bill to Fund New Bears Stadium
State hopes to lure NFL franchise from Chicago to Hammond, Ind., just across the Illinois-Indiana border.
Published on Feb. 24, 2026
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The Indiana House passed Senate Bill 27 by a 95-4 floor vote, establishing a Northwest Indiana stadium authority to issue bonds to finance, build and lease a stadium as the state continues its process to lure the Chicago Bears south to Hammond, Ind. The bill calls for a variety of new and increased taxes in Northwest Indiana counties and in a proposed stadium district to pay for the state's share of the multi-billion-dollar project, which the Bears would contribute $2 billion towards.
Why it matters
The move would be a major economic development opportunity for Northwest Indiana, bringing large-scale global events to the region. However, it would also mean the Bears would be leaving their longtime home in Illinois, which has been working on its own stadium deal to keep the team.
The details
The amended bill passed through the Indiana House's Ways and Means Committee by a 24-0 vote last Thursday. The Indiana General Assembly will adjourn this legislative session on Friday, so Tuesday's meeting was full of action. Lawmakers from both parties praised the bipartisan approach to the legislation. The next step would be for the Indiana Senate to sign off on the amended bill and for Gov. Mike Braun to sign it into law. Then, the Bears would have to decide to forsake Illinois and a plot of land in Arlington Heights they bought for nearly $200 million, to move across state lines.
- The Indiana House passed Senate Bill 27 by a 95-4 floor vote on Tuesday, February 24, 2026.
- The amended bill passed through the House's Ways and Means Committee by a 24-0 vote last Thursday, February 20, 2026.
- The Indiana General Assembly will adjourn this legislative session on Friday, February 28, 2026.
The players
Indiana House Speaker Todd Huston
A Republican from Fishers, Ind. who has been a key proponent of the legislation to lure the Bears to Indiana.
Rep. Earl L. Harris Jr.
A Democratic state representative from East Chicago, Ind. who expressed optimism that Indiana can not only land the Bears but also help grow the team's fanbase.
Chicago Bears
The NFL franchise that the state of Indiana is hoping to lure from Chicago to Hammond, Ind., just across the Illinois-Indiana border.
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker
The governor of Illinois who has been working to keep the Bears in the state, including recent talks about a deal for state infrastructure and tax certainty for the team's proposed stadium and mixed-use development in Arlington Heights.
Bears GM Ryan Poles
The general manager of the Chicago Bears who said he has enough to worry about with the football team and is leaving the stadium negotiations to team president Kevin Warren and chairman George McCaskey.
What they’re saying
“This is what Team Indiana is. I mean, at the end of the day, we get things done.”
— Todd Huston, Indiana House Speaker (Indianapolis Star)
“The bottom line is this project will be paid for by those who benefit from this investment, those who visit, those who stay in hotels, eat and shop in the area establishments. It isn't just a sports venue. It will bring large-scale global events to Northwest Indiana. This is a transformational opportunity for the region and the state.”
— Todd Huston, Indiana House Speaker (Indianapolis Star)
“Members of the House, opportunities like this do not come often. This is about economic development, regional equity and generational vision.”
— Rep. Earl L. Harris Jr., Democratic state representative from East Chicago, Ind. (Indianapolis Star)
“The team enthusiasm will not decrease with this move. In fact, I'm going to bet you it will actually increase.”
— Rep. Earl L. Harris Jr., Democratic state representative from East Chicago, Ind. (Indianapolis Star)
“George 'Papa Bear' Halas played football in the city of Hammond. He started his football career there. He eventually moved on to play for the Decatur Staleys. That team became the Chicago Bears. So if you look at this, it's really about the Chicago Bears coming home.”
— Rep. Earl L. Harris Jr., Democratic state representative from East Chicago, Ind. (Indianapolis Star)
What’s next
The next step would be for the Indiana Senate to sign off on the amended bill and then for Gov. Mike Braun to sign the measure into law. Then, the Bears would have to decide whether to forsake Illinois and a plot of land in Arlington Heights they bought for nearly $200 million, to move across state lines.
The takeaway
This vote represents a major step forward in Indiana's efforts to lure the Chicago Bears to Hammond, just across the state border. The move would be a significant economic development opportunity for Northwest Indiana, but it would also mean the Bears leaving their longtime home in Illinois, which is working on its own stadium deal to keep the team.
