Hammond mayor says Bears expected to ‘make announcement’ Thursday
NBC 5 Chicago • • sports
Key Points:
- The Chicago Bears have informed Hammond, Indiana Mayor Tom McDermott of a planned announcement on Thursday, though details remain undisclosed; speculation centers on the team's new stadium location.
- The Bears are actively considering Hammond as a primary site for their new stadium, especially after a failed Illinois bill and Indiana's offer of up to $1 billion in incentives to attract the team.
- Bears Chairman George McCaskey confirmed ongoing due diligence on a second site in Hammond and indicated more information about the stadium project would be forthcoming soon.
- Soil testing and environmental assessments are underway at a potential site near Wolf Lake Terminals in Hammond, close to the Illinois-Indiana border and about 19 miles from downtown Chicago.
- Indiana Governor Mike Braun expressed optimism about finalizing the stadium deal, while Illinois officials have yet to take significant legislative action to retain the Bears within the state.
