Indiana Lawmakers Introduce Bill to Attract the Chicago Bears Across State Lines

A bill in the Indiana House of Representatives would set up land in the northwest corner of the state as the next contestant bidding for the Chicago Bears’ new stadium. House Bill 1292 was introduced by Rep. Earl Harris Jr., and it proposes the creation of the Northwest Indiana Sports Commission.

The bill passed unanimously from the House Committee on Government and Regulatory Reform, and it now faces further debate.

As far as tempting the Bears across state lines, Harris told ABC7 News, “When you look at the economics, everything costs less in Indiana, so why not move over?”

It isn’t the first time that Indiana has appeared on a list of options for the Bears stadium property. Back in the mid-90s, the team researched building a new stadium in Gary, IN., but ultimately stayed in Chicago and rebuilt Solider Field.

Harris said, “This bill builds on the legacy of my father, Rep. Earl Harris Sr., who worked to make this a reality for many years. Bringing professional sports to northwest Indiana would not only be a huge benefit for sports fans, it would bring money, business, tourism and endless opportunities for our community. This will also inspire our students by opening doors to careers in sports management, marketing, hospitality and countless other fields. This is an opportunity to give our students a pathway to success right here in their hometown.”

The Northwest Indiana Professional Sports Development Commission would seek to attract more than just the nearby NFL team. Currently, there are a few minor-league teams in the area, but Harris believes the miles of lakefront property could attract a number of professional teams.

Just last week, current Bears president Kevin Warren said, “That stadium is a 40-year decision. We need to make sure we get that right and we're very deliberate in the thought process." Now, Indiana may become a part of that process.