Indiana Senate Clears Path for Bears Stadium

Indiana senators took a step toward luring the Chicago Bears across state lines, approving legislation that would set up the legal and financial scaffolding for a new NFL stadium in northwest Indiana.

In a 46-2 vote on Tuesday, the Indiana Senate passed Senate Bill 27, which would create the Northwest Indiana Stadium Authority — a quasi-public entity empowered to issue bonds, acquire land, finance construction and lease a stadium to a private team, the Indianapolis Business Journal reported. The bill, authored by Republican Sens. Ryan Mishler and Chris Garten, now heads to the House.

Mishler stressed that the legislation stops short of sealing a deal, but rather creates a framework around how ongoing negotiations with the Bears will work, according to the publication.

In a December interview with the Chicago Tribune, Bears President and CEO Kevin Warren confirmed the team is looking across state lines. Officials in the southeast Chicago suburbs on the Indiana side of the metro of Hammond and Gary have floated concepts so far.

The vote does signal Indiana’s intent as it positions itself against Illinois, where the Bears have grown frustrated by stalled talks with Gov. JB Pritzker and state lawmakers over a long-discussed stadium project tied to the team’s suburban Arlington Heights racetrack site. The Bears have played at Soldier Field in Chicago since 1971, but have openly floated alternatives.

The team welcomed the Senate action in a statement, calling it a positive step forward for Bears fans across Chicagoland.

Under SB 27, the stadium authority would effectively stand in for the state as the owner of a new facility. Its three-member board would be composed of top state budget and finance officials, according to the outlet. The authority could issue 40-year bonds to fund land acquisition and construction, with repayment tied to rent, insurance proceeds and other pledged revenues. Any deal would require the Bears to commit to a 35-year lease.

While the authority would own the stadium, the team would cover operating and repair costs and keep stadium-generated revenue. The Bears could buy the venue outright by assuming remaining debt — or for $1 once the bonds are fully paid.

Some issues were left intentionally unresolved, including local tax arrangements and adding municipal representation to the authority, the outlet reported. A proposed requirement for minority business participation goals was stripped out during committee review.

The House is expected to take up the bill next. Speaker Todd Huston voiced support, but wants a firm commitment from the Bears before anything is finalized.

— Eric Weilbacher