By Dan Spalding
News Now Warsaw
INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana’s offer to help build a multi-billion dollar stadium is officially on the table — now it is up to the Chicago Bears to decide whether they will cross the state line.
State senators voted overwhelmingly on Thursday to approve a plan to establish a Northwest Indiana Stadium Authority in Hammond and to allow increased county restaurant, hotel and admission taxes for the project.
Gov. Mike Braun signed the measure into law within about an hour of the vote, adding to the proposal’s momentum.
State Sen. Ryan Mishler, one of the architects of the proposal, spoke with News Now Warsaw shortly after the vote and expressed confidence that Bears officials are serious about the Hoosier plan.
Officials will now wait and see if Illinois lawmakers are able to develop a plan that would keep the NFL team in Chicago.
Illinois lawmakers were discussing their proposal as Indiana State Senators approved the Indiana plan by a vote of 45-4 on Thursday afternoon.
Mishler said he doesn’t see it as a competition.
“We have what we have,” Mishler said. “I know that any company that steps over into Indiana is gonna save a lot of money just in our tax structure alone.”
Indiana’s plan is based on a template used in similar stadium deals for Lucas Oil Stadium and Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
“I know they’ll still talk to Illinois,” he said. “I think we have a great chance because I know what we have to offer.”
If the Hammond plan comes to fruition, the state would own the facility, while the Chicago Bears would lease and operate the stadium under a long-term agreement of at least 35 years.
The Indiana financing plan calls for capturing taxes from a new stadium development district, along with revenue from a 12% admissions tax on stadium events, a doubling of Lake County’s 5% hotel tax (where Hammond is located) and a 1% food-and-beverage tax in both Lake and Porter counties, according to Indiana Capital Chronicle.
Mishler said such a stadium plan would be “transformational” for The Region and benefit the state in several ways.
“You know, there are a few states that have two (NFL) football teams, but to have two NFL football teams in the state of Indiana would be huge,” Mishler said.
Braun and Mishler both said the Bears will now be doing their “due diligence” with the Hammond property, and Braun predicted a deal could be signed in four to eight weeks.
The Bears’ stadium, Soldier Field, is the oldest and smallest in terms of seating capacity in the NFL.
The Hammond site is about 12 miles from Soldier Field.
Mishler pointed out that the Bears’ leadership sought out Indiana as it expanded its search for a new facility and that they have been great to work with.
The Indiana Capital Chronicle contributed to this story. You can read that full version here.
