Overview
- Indiana Senate Bill 27 was updated to create a Northwest Indiana stadium authority empowered to acquire, finance, construct and lease facilities, and it was sent to the Senate Appropriations Committee on Jan. 15.
- The bill is authored by Appropriations Chair Ryan Mishler and Majority Floor Leader Chris Garten, and House Speaker Todd Huston said the effort could proceed without reopening the state budget this year.
- The Bears welcomed the legislation as a “significant milestone” and Indiana Gov. Mike Braun said his administration is working hard to bring the team to the state.
- NFL commissioner Roger Goodell recently toured the Bears’ Arlington Heights property and multiple Northwest Indiana sites, and the team surveyed season‑ticket holders about a domed venue roughly 20 miles from Chicago.
- Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker reiterated willingness to fund infrastructure—not the stadium—with reported needs around $832–$855 million, as lawmakers cite concerns including $532 million still owed on Soldier Field and continue talks with team and local leaders.