Northwest Indiana is throwing its hat into the ring — again — to court the Chicago Bears to build a stadium in the region. The courtship, though, is an open one as a new bill aims to attract any sports franchise to Northwest Indiana.
The state legislature is considering House Bill 1292 which would establish a Northwest Indiana professional sports development commission, which would study plans to attract one or more professional sports franchises.
The commission would be tasked with creating a comprehensive master plan for building the facilities needed to attract one or more professional sports franchises in the region.
The bill’s author, State Rep. Earl Harris, D-East Chicago, said the commission would explore attracting professional football, baseball, basketball, hockey or soccer teams. But, since the Chicago Bears have been looking for a new home, Harris said when he proposed the bill in the 2024 session it got attention then as a possible new location for the team.
“The Bears are the big boy, so that has received the most attention. Honestly, I would love it if The Bears moved their location over to Northwest Indiana, but we are open to any sport,” Harris said.
Harris said he hasn’t talked to anyone with the Chicago Bears organization about a potential move to Northwest Indiana.
The Chicago Bears purchased the former Arlington International Racecourse in Arlington Heights in February 2023 and hopes to build a new enclosed stadium with a big entertainment and residential development. In December, the Bears and Arlington Heights reached an agreement to set taxes at $3.6 million per year.
In April 2024, the team laid out plans for a new publicly owned domed stadium on the lakefront but left unanswered how the city would pay for expensive infrastructure improvements.
If the Bears, or any other team, were to move to Northwest Indiana, Harris said that team would keep its name but have a stadium in Northwest Indiana. Similar to how the New York Jets and New York Giants have New York in their name but play across the state line in New Jersey, he said.
Northwest Indiana is in the Chicago media market, Harris said, so residents see games and commercials for Chicago sports teams.
“In terms of team loyalty, that fan base is already there in Northwest Indiana for Chicago teams,” Harris said. “We’re open to any sport, just want to keep it broad.”
The bill outlines the 19-member commission, which would include mayors from East Chicago, Gary, Hammond, Michigan City, LaPorte, Portage and South Bend, while the remaining members would be appointed by various people, including the executive director of the Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority, the governor and Lake, Porter, LaPorte and St. Joseph county leaders.
The commission, which will require 10 members present for a quorum and an affirmative 10 votes to take action, should hold its first meeting before Sept. 1.
Once established, the commission would be able to enter agreements or contracts for grants or appropriations from federal, state, and local governments, individuals, foundations or other organizations. It would also be able to operate, own, manage or lease property.
The commission would spend money from the professional sports development fund, which would be funded through general assembly appropriations, grants, gifts and donations. The money from the fund can’t be reverted to another fund.
The legislature has done many things in recent years to grow Northwest Indiana like building up casinos, the lakefront, the Gary Airport and the forthcoming Lake County Convention Center, Harris said.
The professional sports development commission would continue to make Northwest Indiana “a game changer,” Harris said.
“Sports is a big thing and it’s great economic development,” Harris said. “The impact of (the commission) will be tremendous. Professional sports will drive economic growth, create thousands of jobs and it will continue to attract new businesses and tourism to the area.”
Harris said his father, who served as a state representative before Harris, filed similar legislation when he was in office to bring a sports franchise to Northwest Indiana. Now, Harris said he’s “picked up the ball on that and am carrying it.”
The bill fits for a budget session, which the Indiana legislature is currently in, because it establishes a fund, Harris said. But, he filed the bill last year to get the conversation around creating the commission moving forward, he said.
Lake County Commissioner Michael Repay, D-3rd, said the bill is a smart endeavor to bring sports to Northwest Indiana. Repay said he’d be open to joining the commission, and he’d like to see a soccer team play in a future Northwest Indiana stadium.
“The time to do something like that isn’t when you have an immediate offer. The time to do something is in advance of an offer,” Repay said. “We’re ready for it, whether it’s the Bears or anyone else.”
This year, Harris said his bill has been co-authored by three Republicans, including Rep. Tim O’Brien, R-Evansville, who grew up in Northwest Indiana.
“The Bears are his team. He still has his roots here in Northwest Indiana,” Harris said of O’Brien.
The bill passed out of committee House Government and Regulatory Reform Committee on Monday. It was recommitted to the House Ways and Means Committee because it establishes a fund.
akukulka@chicagotribune.com