A statement posted on the Chicago Bears website at 11:16 a.m. June 5 created a flurry of excitement among regional officials.
The statement was credited to Chicago Bears Chairman George McCaskey and President and CEO Kevin Warren. It said that the board of directors voted June 4 “to advance our stadium development project in Hammond, Indiana, with the exact site to be selected.”
The announcement comes after the State of Illinois failed to pass a bill June 1 to keep the Bears in Illinois.
“We believe a world-class stadium project in Hammond will transform the region, connecting Northwest Indiana to the South Side of Chicago through the Loop and across neighborhoods and suburbs stretching north of the city. It will bring Chicagoland together and deliver new opportunities to its residents and businesses.”
Northwest Indiana officials were ecstatic, including State Rep. Earl Harris Jr.'s (D-East Chicago), whose House Enrolled Act 1292 in 2025 established the Northwest Indiana Professional Sports Development Commission.
“Today is a monumental day for Northwest Indiana,” Harris said in a press release. “Bringing any professional sports franchise, much less one as revered as the Chicago Bears, will have an enormous impact on The Region for generations to come. From job creation to an economic boom from tourism, the Bears' presence in our community is part of continued growth happening in Northwest Indiana.”
Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr. tirelessly worked toward offering the Bears a suitable location. 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.
“The Chicago Bears chose Hammond, Indiana, because they see what I have said for years: Hammond is a successful city of opportunity and possibility, an excellent choice for such a significant investment,” he said in a press release.
U.S. Rep. Frank Mrvan was grateful for Indiana's commitment to bringing the Bears to Indiana.
“Today’s announcement is a testament to the vision, determination and partnership of Gov. Mike Braun, our Indiana General Assembly, Mayor McDermott, leaders from the business community, and organized labor who worked together to demonstrate Northwest Indiana’s unique strengths and deep economic ties to the great City of Chicago,” he said.
Some officials noted that the announcement does not guarantee that the Bears will move the stadium to Northwest Indiana.
“This is exciting news for Northwest Indiana and the broader region,” said South Shore Line President Dave Dech. “We look forward to evaluating service options to help fans conveniently travel to and from games if a final decision is made. Staying connected to major destinations and big moments remains at the heart of what we do.”
For updates, visit the Indiana Capital Chronicle website here.
