The Wolf Lake Pavilion sits across Calumet Avenue from the Lost Marsh Golf Course with Chicago visible in the distance. Staff photo by John J. Watkins
Now it's up to the Chicago Bears.
Indiana's proposal aimed at enticing the professional football team to locate their new, multi-billion dollar stadium in Hammond received final legislative approval at the Statehouse Thursday with the Senate voting 45-4 in favor of the plan.
Senate Enrolled Act 27, which passed the House 95-4 on Tuesday, was then immediately signed into law by Gov. Mike Braun.
"We made it clear from the beginning that Indiana is open for business. I’m thrilled to sign Senate Bill 27 to create the framework to build a new world-class stadium in Northwest Indiana. Now let’s get this across the goal line," Braun said.
The Bears did not instantly take Indiana up on its stadium offer. But the team issued a statement that seemed to welcome it.
"Indiana has taken important steps over the last few months, and we are grateful for the leadership reflected by Governor Braun signing SB 27, establishing the framework for a stadium development in Northwest Indiana. We continue to work on the necessary due diligence and appreciate the ongoing engagement with Indiana state and local leaders," the Bears said.
Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr. also congratulated the governor for signing the Bears stadium proposal into law.
"This is a historic day for our state. The Bears have witnessed over the past several months how efficient government works. From the Statehouse to city hall, Indiana continues to be ready to get to work and make Northwest Indiana the Bears new home," McDermott said.
Earlier in the day, the usually staid atmosphere inside the marble-walled Senate chamber at times took on the spirit of a pep rally as Hoosier lawmakers embraced the possibility of the Bears calling Northwest Indiana home.
“We’re sure giving the Bears a lot to think about to come here because Indiana is the state it is. We welcome these kinds of things to come in here,” said state Sen. Rick Niemeyer, R-Lowell. “It’s a good proposal that’s put together and I hope it goes forward.”
State Sen. Ryan Mishler, R-Mishawaka, the sponsor of the plan, said the overwhelming bipartisan backing for the Hammond stadium legislation should demonstrate to the McCaskey family and Pat Ryan, the owners of the Bears, that Indiana is ready to welcome them with open arms.
“The widespread support of the bill in both chambers shows Indiana's commitment to the Chicago Bears, and it presents us with an opportunity to further foster our working relationship with them. I look forward to continued conversations with the Bears' leadership team as we work to bring the Bears to Indiana,” Mishler said.
State Sen. Dan Dernulc, R-Highland, who was involved in an unsuccessful 1990s effort to try to bring the Bears to Gary, said he’s far more optimistic this time around.
“There’s a different vibe now where the Bears potentially really could come in. It’s really exciting that we’re at this point. You know, to bring them over on to our side is great. Illinois doesn’t have the money. We do because of good fiscal management of our funds,” Dernulc said.
Similarly, state Sen. Lonnie Randolph, D-East Chicago, in whose district a new Bears stadium would sit, described the Senate vote as “a major historical event.”
"The economic benefits that it might bring — that it will bring — to the Region, to Hammond's residents and the state of Indiana is enormous in terms of the potential,” Randolph said.
“I am extremely thrilled that the Northwest Indiana Region is getting the recognition it rightly deserves, because our Region is and always has been an economic driver of this state.”
The law is modeled on the 2005 state statute that led to the construction of Lucas Oil Stadium for the Indianapolis Colts. It calls for a new Northwest Indiana Stadium Board to issue bonds to finance a Bears stadium and associated infrastructure in Hammond.
At least 50% of the currently unknown stadium cost must be paid for by the Chicago Bears or other private investment. The Bears would be obligated to play in the Hammond stadium for at least 35 years, according to the statute.
Mishler said the Bears plan to invest more than $2 billion into the project that will be located in the Wolf Lake area, right on the edge of the Chicago city limits.
Money for the state's share will come from tax revenues generated in special stadium districts in Hammond, a 12% ticket tax on stadium events, potential countywide 1% food and beverage taxes in Lake and Porter counties, doubling Lake County's innkeeper's tax to 10%, and a possible renegotiated lease of the Indiana Toll Road, among other funding mechanisms, according to the plan.
“I don’t think anybody that lives in Northwest Indiana is going to have a problem with the way this is set up, the way it looks and the way it’s going to be financed,” Niemeyer said.
State Sen. Mark Spencer, D-Gary, went even further. He said the Bears stadium in Hammond will in fact strengthen the Region, and the entire nation will see what a great area it is.
“For the first time in a long time, cities and towns across our Region have moved in the same direction for a common purpose. And that really matters. Because with the potential arrival of the Chicago Bears to Hammond, we’re not simply discussing a football franchise, we’re discussing catalytic economic transformation,” Spencer said.
“A project of this magnitude means construction jobs in the immediate term. It means permanent careers in hospitality, food service, security, logistics, facility management. It also means new hotels, restaurants, retail corridors and small business growth surrounding a world-class venue.”
State Sen. Ron Alting, R-Lafayette, believes those benefits will reverberate throughout the state. And even though he’s a big Colts fan now, Alting said he always wore No. 51 for Dick Butkus of the Chicago Bears when he played football as a child and teenager.
“Who would have ever thought that this kid from Fourth Street would be standing up here today talking about the Chicago Bears coming to the great state of Indiana?” Alting said.
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