Bears bosses and Hammond mayor meet on proposed stadium site

Bears chairman George McCaskey and president/CEO Kevin Warren met with Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr., Friday on the site of the team's proposed stadium. The team characterized the gathering as the latest step in due diligence while considering a move across the border to Indiana.

The meeting, which included other Bears and Hammond officials, took place at Lost Marsh Golf Club near Wolf Lake, where the Bears would build if they decide to move to Indiana. A statement issued by a team spokesperson said the Bears “continue to work together with Indiana leaders on our commitment to finish the necessary due diligence work for the Hammond site.”

In February, Indiana established the Northwest Indiana Stadium Authority, which would issue bonds to finance a stadium. McCaskey said at the NFL’s annual meeting earlier this month that the Bears didn’t yet “have a deal to consider” in Indiana. Due diligence may soon change that.

If the Bears moved to Indiana, McCaskey said, the Bears fans would, with time, “get used to it.”

Friday’s meeting was a public salvo on the eve of what could be a critical week for the team, which is trying to decide whether to build a domed stadium on the 326 acres it owns in Arlington Heights or move across state lines.

The Illinois House of Representatives could vote next week on whether to pass PILOT legislation — shorthand for payment in lieu of taxes — to allow the Bears to renegotiate their property taxes with Arlington Heights. If not, the Bears will have to wait — the House is in session Tuesday through Thursday before returning May 5. The Senate would then have to approve the bill before the General Assembly session closes May 31. Then the Bears would need to negotiate the tax rate with Arlington Heights and receive infrastructure funding.

At the NFL annual meeting, Warren, McCaskey and NFL commissioner Roger Goodell preached urgency. The Bears expect to make decision by late spring or early summer.

“This is an important time to get this resolved, sooner rather than later,” Goodell said.