Officials say since the bill was amended by the House Ways and Means Committee, it heads back to the Senate for review and approval before going to Gov. Mike Braun’s desk to be signed into law.

The bill invites the Chicago Bears to Hammond by creating funding mechanisms to build a new stadium near Wolf Lake.

State Rep. Carolyn Jackson (D-Hammond) released the following statement:

“This is the first time I’ve seen local officials and the state come together to make a dream a reality in such a short time. Everybody wants progress, and I am thankful Northwest Indiana has been bold enough to step towards it.

This will bring the entire Region together. One city’s progress affects another city’s progress. We will all benefit from the thousands of new jobs created, the influx of new tourists and the millions in revenue generated at our hotels and restaurants. 

We’ve laid the groundwork for the past 10 years to increase our economic development and tourism. The Region used to be the driver of Indiana’s economy until certain industries left us. We have worked hard to rebound from those losses, and the Chicago Bears have recognized our hard work.

Northwest Indiana is Bears country.”