THE Chicago Bears have received an official offer from the state of Indiana to build their new $5 billion stadium there.

 

 

 

Indiana governor Mike Braun has wasted no time in signing Senate Bill 27 into law as they hope to welcome the Bears across state lines.
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A rendering of the field at the Bears’ proposed new stadium at Arlington Heights

 
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A rendering of the Chicago Bears’ planned domed stadium if they stay in Illinois

 

 

 

 

The bill will create the Northwest Indiana Stadium Authority and the state funding mechanisms behind building the NFL team’s new home.

The state of Indiana hope to draw the team to Hammond, just across the state line from Illinois.

It marks the first official stage of the Bears’ relocation away from Soldier Field, their iconic full-time home since 1971.

There are still two months of due diligence for the Bears to carry out but it sets Indiana in pole position over the state of Illinois.

 

 

 

The two-state battle has become particularly bitter from an Illinois perspective.

Initial plans were made for the Bears to move to the Arlington Heights suburb of Chicago, Illinois when relocation was first discussed.

However, plans to move to Indiana quickly gained momentum as the Arlington Heights plans encountered obstacles.

Officials involved in the Arlington Height plans are hopeful of a resolution being found still.

 

 

 

Illinois governor JB Pritzker has certainly not been shy in his criticisms of the Bears but there are movements being made in the house.

The Illinois House Revenue and Finance committee approved a bill on Thursday that would allow the NFL franchise to lock in property taxes on the Arlington Heights site.

That was a condition deemed an absolute necessity by the Bears.

 

 

 

However, that bill has not yet advanced to the full house and even then, there is concern about it having the necessary support.

The main thing in favor of the state of Illinois is that the Bears still have to carry out their due diligence for the next two months.

 

 

 

However, per Capitol Fax, the critical dilemma the state of Illinois faces concerns Chicago democrats not wanting to vote for a bill that would see the Bears leave the city.

Those in the Illinois House against them leaving the city and the implementation of property taxes on Arlington Heights will have to a lot to weigh up.

It ultimately comes down to whether they are willing to allow the Chicago Bears leave the state altogether.