Overview
- Indiana Senate leaders introduced Senate Bill 27 to create a northwest Indiana stadium authority with power to acquire and finance facilities, signaling a formal bid to attract the Chicago Bears.
- Gov. Mike Braun used his State of the State address to press the case for the franchise, saying his administration is working hard to bring the team to Indiana.
- Bears president Kevin Warren has said the team is critically evaluating opportunities in Indiana as part of its broader stadium site search.
- The team has surveyed season-ticket holders about travel to a potential venue roughly 20 miles from Chicago, reflecting evaluation of northwest Indiana locations.
- NFL commissioner Roger Goodell recently toured candidate sites in northwest Indiana and Arlington Heights as Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker reiterated he will not fund stadium construction but could support infrastructure, with the Bears seeking about $855 million and facing calls to address remaining Soldier Field debt.