Hammond mayor Thomas McDermott says the Bears must be ready to choose Hammond, Indiana, after Illinois legislators missed a bill that would have helped finance a new stadium. He expects an answer by the end of June—while Chicago and Arlington Heights remain po
The Bears are still where they were supposed to be weeks ago—caught between Indiana and Illinois over where a new stadium should land. But the window in Illinois is now effectively gone for a financing bill that would have helped build it in Arlington Heights. and Hammond mayor Thomas McDermott believes that changes everything.
With Illinois moving the goalposts and failing to pass the bill, McDermott says Hammond is the only viable option based on what the Bears have previously said. He doesn’t sound unsure about the outcome.
“Indiana did what they were asked to do. Illinois couldn’t do what they were asked to do. So I’m confident the Bears are going to choose Hammond,” McDermott said, via Dan Carden of the Northwest Indiana Times.
His confidence turns on a deal he believes is already in place. McDermott says Hammond is ready to sell the Bears on both the stadium and the fan experience, but with the clock ticking.
“I think we have a great offer on the table,” McDermott said. “We’re going to offer a superior fan experience. It’s going to be an awesome stadium in an awesome location. But the Bears have to huddle and make the determination now whether or not they’re going to make the move to Indiana. In 30 days, we should have an answer.”.
If that 30-day answer arrives, Hammond becomes the clear favorite. The flip side is just as stark: Hammond may only stay on top as long as it’s the only path the Bears are willing to take with meaningful direct or indirect tax benefits and incentives. If the Bears decide to build in Arlington Heights without those kinds of incentives—despite Illinois failing to pass the financing help—then the question doesn’t close so neatly.
And if the decision doesn’t come quickly, Illinois remains in play. Chicago could still be in play as well.
A Chicago Tribune editorial board item calls the situation a “big. fat L for the Bears. ” saying the team “overplayed its hand and mismanaged the entire process. squandering all kinds of good will in the process.” There’s no ambiguity about the frustration on that side of the border. The Bears’ next move will decide whether that anger gets an official reason—or a longer wait.
For now, Soldier Field stays the home base. The Bears can keep talking, but their calendar won’t change: until they do, Soldier Field continues to hold the team, and the longer the decision takes, the more those who value tradition and football in the elements get to keep living with the status quo.
Chicago Bears Hammond Indiana Thomas McDermott stadium decision Illinois legislature Arlington Heights Soldier Field Dan Carden Northwest Indiana Times
So if Illinois missed the bill, why is Chicago still even in the mix? Bears should’ve been ready already.
“Confident” like that means something 🙄. The Bears gonna pick Hammond because the mayor says so? That’s kinda wild. Also aren’t they already stuck in Chicago until they’re not?
I’m pretty sure this is just politicians playing football with paperwork. Illinois ‘goalposts’?? Meanwhile my buddy says Arlington Heights was the original plan anyway, so how is Hammond suddenly the only viable option? Either way, Soldier Field is ancient, they should’ve just picked somewhere and built it.
Chicago Tribune calling it a “big fat L” is gonna get repeated all over Facebook like it’s fact fact. But honestly, if the Bears need tax incentives to move, doesn’t that mean the stadium deal is still the same? I don’t get why everyone’s acting like June is some magic deadline. If they don’t decide, does that mean Bears just keep paying Illinois forever or what?