WARSAW — State Sen. Ryan Mishler said he expects the Chicago Bears will likely decide on their future stadium in May or June, and continues to express confidence that they might choose Hammond. 

Illinois lawmakers are still in session and trying to develop a stadium plan outside of downtown Chicago, something they've been working on for three years.

At the same time, the Bears are considering a plan developed over three months by Indiana lawmakers for a new stadium in Hammond.

Earlier this month, the state of Indiana announced a new arrangement with the owners of the Indiana Toll Road that will funnel $700 million to seven northern Indiana counties for infrastructure improvements.

Some of that could be used in Lake County for related infrastructure near the proposed stadium site. 

Mishler said the new agreement should not be viewed as another inducement.

“It does look like we did it for that, but I can tell you the administration, the previous administration, was coming to me about the toll road. So it was even before this administration started. So it's two separate things, but another option for us to use for something up there,” Mishler said.

He said the Bears would like to have a new stadium ready by 2030, so construction would have to begin soon.

Mishler, who represents parts of Kosciusko County, said he thinks they made a good impression with the Bears.

“I think they're very impressed with how we operate, how we work together, get things done, and they're not used to a government that operates that way," Mishler said.

"I think that is a great compliment," he said.

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