The Chicago Bears are still weighing where to build their next stadium, and Indiana remains firmly in the race. Indiana Gov. Mike Braun continues to push for a move to Hammond, about 40 minutes from downtown Chicago. 

According to a report by Wlky.com, the Bears had hoped to decide by late spring or early summer, but negotiations remain ongoing as Indiana and Illinois compete for the project. Though the talks are in the final stages, Braun remains confident about the deal.

"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.

Braun's confidence comes even as Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker continues discussions with the Bears. Indiana officials are still in talks with the franchise as both states try to secure their new stadium.

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

The team also called the proposal "a world-class stadium project" that could transform Northwest Indiana while connecting the region to Chicago.

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.

While Braun remains confident, not everyone in Indiana is fully on board with the proposal.

Local opposition emerges over Indiana's stadium funding plan

According to a report by the Indiana Capital Chronicle, Indiana's bid has run into political resistance in Porter County, where local officials oppose new taxes tied to the proposed stadium package.

The state's financing plan includes a new food-and-beverage tax in Lake and Porter counties, along with higher hotel taxes, to help fund infrastructure around the stadium development.

Porter County Commissioner Jim Biggs has remained firmly against the proposal. He argued there is little public support for sending local tax revenue to a project in neighboring Lake County.

The Bears have yet to finalize how much they would contribute to the overall development. That contribution has sparked questions regarding the full financing plan.

On the other hand, Illinois officials continue to pursue the franchise. Gov. Pritzker recently said the Bears still need to provide more specifics before the state can respond with a formal proposal.

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

For now, Braun is confident enough to close the deal for Indiana. But with local political resistance growing and Illinois still in the conversation, the Bears' stadium decision remains one of the NFL's biggest offseason storylines.

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Written by

Evince Das

Edited by

Shubhi Rathore