Chicago Bears officials continue to move forward with plans for a new stadium in Indiana. But one Illinois lawmaker believes completing that move will be far more difficult than many expect.

In a report by NBC Chicago, State Senator Bill Cunningham explained why he believes relocating across state lines creates political challenges that most NFL stadium projects never face. He pointed to how the Bills' new stadium avoided these issues.

“They [Bills] built the new stadium across the street from the old stadium, so they did not change jurisdictions,” Cunningham said. “What the Bears are trying to do is pretty unusual, and it is very difficult to pull off politically because you naturally put municipality against municipality.”

He added that Chicago would ultimately become the city left behind if the Bears relocate. This makes it difficult for lawmakers from the city to support such a move. Cunningham's comments come as Indiana continues to push aggressively for the franchise.

Earlier this month, according to ESPN, the Bears' board of directors voted to advance the stadium project in Hammond, Indiana. It marked the first time the organization officially voted on any proposed stadium site.

However, the exact location has not yet been finalized.

The team described the proposal as "a world-class stadium project" that could transform Northwest Indiana while strengthening connections to Chicago. Indiana Governor Mike Braun has looked confident throughout the process.

"They know they're dealing with somebody that's a handshake business partner, and has come a long way. Don't count your chickens before they're hatched, but it looks good," Braun said, per Wlky.com.

The proposed Hammond site has become the centerpiece of Indiana’s bid. State lawmakers have already approved a financing package that includes more than $1 billion for stadium-related infrastructure.

With the talks in the final stages, Braun remains confident. But not everyone in Indiana is fully on board with the proposal.

Local opposition creates another hurdle for Bears' Indiana proposal

According to the Indiana Capital Chronicle, Porter County officials are opposing parts of the stadium funding plan. They're particularly against the new food-and-beverage taxes that would help finance over $1 billion in infrastructure around the proposed development.

Porter County Commissioner Jim Biggs has argued that residents should not pay or help for a project located in neighboring Lake County.

Meanwhile, Illinois officials have not given up on keeping the Bears. Governor JB Pritzker said the franchise needs to provide more details before the state can respond with a formal proposal.

"They have not been clear about what the bill is that they need," Pritzker said. "Then, can they get the votes necessary to get it done in the House and the Senate?"

For now, the Bears have advanced Indiana's proposal further than any previous stadium option.

But Cunningham believes moving an NFL franchise across state lines presents political obstacles unlike a traditional stadium project, and local Indiana counties are not too happy with the associated tax hikes either.

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Written by

Evince Das

Edited by

Arundhoti Palit