Chicago Bears Expected to Announce Move to Hammond, Indiana
The mayor of Hammond, Indiana, has indicated that the Chicago Bears are poised to announce their relocation from Chicago to Hammond as soon as Thursday.
Mayor Tom McDermott told WMAQ-TV that “there will be an announcement Thursday,” though he did not provide specifics about the implications of that announcement.
“I’m not really one to call someone and say, ‘I’m going to share bad news tomorrow,’ but, uh, perhaps – I’m not speculating here. I really hope it’s good news,” he remarked.
He added, “I hope it’s about the stadium. I’m not trying to guess, but I’ve heard there will be something announced tomorrow. That’s what we’re all focusing on.”
The last update concerning the potential move came from Bears president George McCaskey, who expressed to WMAQ that the team is seriously considering a relocation to Indiana.
“We are conducting due diligence on our second location in Hammond, and I think Kevin (Warren) and I will have more to share in the upcoming days,” McCaskey stated.
The Bears and their supporters were relying on a bill from the Illinois General Assembly to fund a new stadium, but with Congress adjourning without a vote, the team has begun exploring options in northwestern Indiana, just beyond the Illinois state line.
Officials in Indiana have already initiated environmental assessments at the proposed stadium site near Hammond, signaling a serious commitment from the Indiana Legislature to welcome the Bears. This site is located about 30 miles from downtown Chicago.
Mayor McDermott mentioned, “I know there’s a lot of testing happening right now.” He added, “One of the local businesses at the new site called us and said, ‘Hey, we’re bowling right now.’”
The Indiana Legislature has already passed an initial bill to assist the Bears in their move, and Indiana Governor Mike Brown remarked, “I’d say we are in the red zone. I’ve dealt with a lot of real estate in my career. It’s not a done deal until everything is signed, but we’ve made significant progress in a short time.”
Efforts to keep the Bears in Chicago or at least in nearby suburbs have largely been hindered by Chicago Democrats, prompting the team to seriously consider Indiana as their new home.
