The Chicago Bears are a step closer to moving its stadium to the City of Hammond.

The Indiana House of Representatives Ways and Means Committee named the city its choice for a Bears location. The vote on the amended Senate Bill 27 was unanimous, 24-0.

“This is a very important step in the effort the State of Indiana has made to bring the Chicago Bears to Indiana. It confirms that, if the Bears move to Indiana, it’s going to be to Hammond,” said Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr. in a press release. The city sits on the Indiana side of the Illinois border near the Interstate 80-94 interchange.

McDermott isn't the only one excited by the vote. According to the Indiana Capital Chronicle, the Bears issued a statement saying that passage of the bill “would mark the most meaningful step forward in our stadium planning efforts to date.”

However, Bears officials stopped short of fully committing to the plan. The Bears have planned a new $2 billion stadium in Arlington Heights. But Illinois legislators are dragging their feet on tax incentives and other infrastructure improvements. A CBS News story said that an Illinois legislative hearing scheduled for Feb. 19 was canceled.

The developments come on the heels of a big push by other possible locations in Indiana, including Portage and Gary.

The City of Portage released a video produced by Valparaiso's WeCreate about why the Bears should come to Portage. The city's privately financed proposal would be called Halas Harbor.

“Our approach demonstrates that major league opportunities can be pursued without placing the financial burden on taxpayers, while still delivering a generational economic impact,” Mayor Austin Bonta said. “We believe this structure provides a clear path to getting a deal across the finish line.”

The City of Gary also outlined a plan for a Bears stadium in January.

“Back in 1994, the Chicago Bears saw potential in Gary, and we have never forgotten that vote of confidence,” said Mayor Eddie Melton in a press release. “Thirty years later, Gary is even better positioned. Gary’s proposal gives the Bears the tax certainty and stability that the organization says is key to success.”

Gary's plan also focused on being close the Lake Michigan, offering Buffington Harbor and Miller Beach as unique opportunities to brand the Bears to the Region.

“Gary is just 30 minutes from downtown Chicago — closer than Arlington Heights — minutes from the Gary Chicago International Airport and uniquely positioned with waterfront views straight to Chicago’s skyline,” Melton said. “No other location offers this combination of proximity, identity alignment and iconic visual connection to Chicago.”

But Thursday's committee vote seems to put those proposals to rest and focuses on Hammond as Indiana's site of choice. The city is the largest in Lake County, Indiana, at 77,879 in the 2020 Census. It also is the 10th largest suburb of Chicago, according to Hammond's website.

McDermott spoke to Indiana committee members about the importance of the Bears move to his city.

“This is a once in a generation opportunity. Hammond is ready to partner with the State of Indiana, the Chicago Bears, and will do whatever it takes to make this project a success and to welcome the Bears to their new home,” McDermott told the House Ways and Means committee members. “This move by the State of Indiana and the Bears tells the rest of the country that Indiana is not just keeping up — it’s leading.”

The amendment also outlined how the state will management the partnership, including the creation of a Northwest Indiana Stadium Authority, Northwest Indiana Stadium Board, Northwest Indiana Stadium Development District and Northwest Indiana Professional Sports Development Area.

“This legislation sets the solid framework to get a stadium built,” McDermott said in a press release. “Hammond is ready and situated well to become the Bears new home, and I can’t wait to get to work to make this happen. This is a big win for Northwest Indiana — not a bad way to celebrate 219 Day.”

Gov. Mike Braun also released a statement urging the House to pass the legislation. The bill, authored by Sen. Ryan Mishler (R-Mishawaka), passed the Indiana State Senate, 46-2.

“Indiana is open for business, and our pro-growth environment continues to attract major opportunities like this partnership with the Chicago Bears,” Braun said. “We’ve identified a promising site near Wolf Lake in Hammond and established a broad framework for negotiating a final deal.”

Indiana House Speaker Todd Huston (R-Fishers) said the speed at which Indiana legislators produced a plan shows their commitment to the Bears.

“This has been a tremendous team effort on a historic project, and I'm grateful to our state and local partners and the ownership and leadership of the Chicago Bears for making it possible,” Huston said in a press release. “I look forward to seeing Mayor McDermott and our Northwest Indiana communities seize this opportunity.”

The reference is to Feb. 19 or 2-19, a reference to Hammond's area code for phone numbers.

McDermott scheduled a press conference for 3 p.m. Feb. 19 to discuss the announcement. The bill next moves to the Senate floor. The Indiana General Assembly usually concludes in mid-March, but an Indiana Senate Republicans press release reported the goal as Feb. 27, leaving the Bears a little more than a week to decide on an Indiana location.