Overview
- Indiana’s House approved SB27 in a 95–4 vote, and the Senate is set for a final vote on a Hammond stadium framework worth up to roughly $1 billion funded by a 1% food-and-beverage surcharge in Lake and Porter counties, a doubled Lake County hotel tax to 10%, and a 12% ticket tax.
- Illinois filed an amended HB910 to provide property‑tax certainty for an Arlington Heights project, placing it on a House committee agenda today with limited time before the chamber recesses until mid‑March.
- The Bears have not signed a binding agreement, saying they will invest $2 billion in construction, are conducting site due diligence near Wolf Lake in Hammond, and are seeking about $855 million for supporting infrastructure.
- Gov. J.B. Pritzker says he is optimistic the team will stay in Illinois, insists he will not “fleece” taxpayers, and criticizes Indiana’s proposed tax hikes, while Indiana’s governor has signaled he would sign SB27 if it reaches his desk.
- Synchronized legislative action in both states heightens pressure on the franchise as lawmakers debate long‑term taxpayer impacts of tools like stadium authorities, tax‑capture districts, and property‑tax freezes.