Bill to attract Chicago Bears to Indiana passes out of Senate committee
A bill aimed at attracting the Chicago Bears to Northwest Indiana was amended and passed out of the Senate Appropriations Committee Thursday.
House Bill 1292, authored by Rep. Earl Harris, D-East Chicago, would establish a Northwest Indiana professional development commission and a professional sports development fund. The commission would be tasked with exploring and implementing strategies to attract one or more sports franchises to Northwest Indiana, Harris said.
'We know that professional sports drives economic development, it also creates jobs, it attracts new business and tourism,' Harris said. 'I've also had a lot of fun with the conversation about The Bears, how they are trying to find a new home and whether or not I'm stealing the Bears from Chicago and messing with certain people's favorite team. But this really is, in all honesty and seriousness, an opportunity to continue to grow Northwest Indiana and the assets that we have there.'
Appropriations Committee Chairman Sen. Ryan Mishler, R-Mishawaka, offered an amendment to make the professional sports development fund a local fund. With the move, Mishler said his amendment removed state appointees — which brings the commission's total members from 19 to 17.
But, the bill would maintain an appointee by the Indiana Economic Development Corporation so that the state has a partnership with a potential sports franchise.
'I like your idea,' Mishler told Harris Thursday in committee. 'I was real excited that you brought this forward. I have actually been in a couple discussions with people that have considered Northwest Indiana. It's prime development there close to Chicago.'
The bill outlines the 17-member commission, which includes mayors from East Chicago, Gary, Hammond, Michigan City, LaPorte, Portage and South Bend, while the remaining members would be appointed by various people, including the executive director of the Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority, and Lake, Porter, LaPorte and St. Joseph county leaders.
Under Mishler's amendment, the commission will require nine members present for a quorum and an affirmative nine votes to take action. It should hold its first meeting before Sept. 1.
Once established, the commission would be able to enter agreements or contracts for grants or appropriations from federal, state, and local governments, individuals, foundations or other organizations. It would also be able to operate, own, manage or lease property.
The commission would spend money from the professional sports development fund, which would be funded through general assembly appropriations, grants, gifts and donations. The money from the fund can't be reverted to another fund.
Under the bill, the commission would explore attracting professional football, baseball, basketball, hockey or soccer teams. But, since the Chicago Bears have been looking for a new home, Harris said when he proposed the bill in the 2024 session it got attention then as a possible new location for the team.
'The Bears are the big boy, so that has received the most attention. Honestly, I would love it if The Bears moved their location over to Northwest Indiana, but we are open to any sport,' Harris previously said.
Harris said he hasn't talked to anyone with The Chicago Bears organization about a potential move to Northwest Indiana.
The Chicago Bears purchased the former Arlington International Racecourse in Arlington Heights in February 2023 and hopes to build a new enclosed stadium with a big entertainment and residential development. In December, the Bears and Arlington Heights reached an agreement to set taxes at $3.6 million per year.
In April 2024, the team laid out plans for a new publicly owned domed stadium on the lakefront but left unanswered how the city would pay for expensive infrastructure improvements.
But, a year later, after the NFL owners meetings concluded on April 2, 2025, Bears President/CEO Kevin Warren confirmed the team no longer has a singular focus on building its new stadium downtown.
'The focus now is both downtown and Arlington Heights,' Warren said. 'One thing I have said before is that there are not linear processes or projects. They take time. They take a lot of energy and effort. And I am very, very pleased with where we are'
The amended House Bill 1292 passed out of committee 12-0. It will advance for consideration by the whole Senate.
akukulka@chicagotribune.com
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