The Chicago Bears have released a new statement on a potential new stadium as Indiana lawmakers moved forward with a bill to bring the team to Hammond.
The Bears said in a statement, "The passage of SB 27 would mark the most meaningful step forward in our stadium planning efforts to date. We are committed to finishing the remaining site-specific necessary due diligence to support our vision to build a world-class stadium near the Wolf Lake area in Hammond, Indiana. We appreciate the leadership shown by Governor Braun, Speaker Huston, Senator Mishler and members of the Indiana General Assembly in establishing this critical framework and path forward to deliver a premier venue for all of Chicagoland and a destination for Bears fans and visitors from across the globe. We value our partnership and look forward to continuing to build our working relationship together."
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Thursday morning legislators voted unanimously to push a bill out of the Ways and Means Committee.
The bill would create the Northwest Indiana Stadium authority similar to Illinois Sports Facilities Authority.
This could convince the Chicago Bears to cross state line and build a new stadium.
Lawmakers said the Bears would pay $2 billion toward construction costs.
The proposal includes new food, beverage, and innkeepers taxes in Indiana's northwest counties to help pay for the stadium and infrastructure.
Among the people who spoke during Thursday's hearing include Hammond's Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr and the Indiana Speaker of the House Rep. Todd Huston.
"Hammond is ready to partner with the Chicago Bears, basically Hammond would do whatever it takes to help make this project a success," Mayor McDermott Jr. said. "Hammond is uniquely positions for this moment, we are part of the Chicagoland region."
"We've had excellent conversations with the Chicago Bears and we are forging a relationship that would be a foundation for a public/private partnership leaned on construction of a world class stadium," Speaker Huston said.
The news comes as an Illinois House committee that could have brought the Bears a step closer to a new stadium in Illinois was canceled.
The House Revenue and Finance Committee canceled a meeting Wednesday to hear the "Mega Project" bill.
No date has been set on a new hearing.
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The bill could give the Bears a long-term property tax break for their proposed stadium in Arlington Heights.
Wednesday, Governor Pritzker mentioned progress is being made towards keeping the stadium in Illinois.
Pritzker and his staff, and lawmakers have been meeting with Bears brass behind closed doors.