Bears Revisit Hammond Site for $5 Billion Stadium as Illinois Lawmakers Pitch $1.3 Billion Arlington Heights Plan
Updated
Updated · WLS-TV · Jun 9
Bears Revisit Hammond Site for $5 Billion Stadium as Illinois Lawmakers Pitch $1.3 Billion Arlington Heights Plan
3 articles · Updated · WLS-TV · Jun 9
Summary
Kevin Warren returned to Hammond, Indiana, after the Bears board voted Friday to advance a stadium development project there, with Lost Marsh Golf Course among a few sites under review.
Mayor Tom McDermott said the golf course is worth about $25 million to $30 million, versus a stadium project he estimated at $5 billion to $6 billion, underscoring Hammond's push to land the team.
Illinois Republicans are drafting rival bills to keep the Bears in Arlington Heights, including one proposal requiring roughly $2.5 billion from the team and about $1.3 billion in state-backed infrastructure spending.
Gov. JB Pritzker said he has told the Bears to clarify their priorities and would keep negotiating if taxpayers are protected, adding he could call a special summer session if lawmakers reach a deal.
The Bears said they had no new information to share, leaving Hammond and Illinois still competing as the team weighs where to build its next stadium.