Overview
- Illinois lawmakers return next week to consider a megaproject bill that would allow long-term property tax freezes with negotiated payments and a sales tax break on materials, after the measure cleared a House committee on Feb. 26 without a floor vote.
- Arlington Heights Mayor Jim Tinaglia warned the Bears could pivot to Indiana without a deal by the end of March, calling the coming week critical and saying a wait until late May is a nonstarter for the team.
- Indiana on Feb. 26 enacted a law creating the Northwest Indiana Stadium Authority to finance and lease a domed stadium near Wolf Lake in Hammond, using hospitality-tax-backed bonds and envisioning a 35-year lease.
- Indiana leaders have said the Bears could invest about $2 billion, and the financing toolkit under discussion includes a 12% admissions tax, a 1% food-and-beverage surcharge, and a 5% hotel tax to help repay construction bonds.
- The Bears have not committed to a site and continue due diligence with a target of opening in 2029, with any move requiring approval from NFL owners and remaining within the club’s 75-mile territorial market.