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Bears Approve Hammond Stadium, Pritzker Calls Special Session

6/13/2026

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Summary

Bears Stadium Deal

Chicago Bears Board voted June 5 to advance a stadium project in Hammond, Indiana.
Brian Urlacher said he dislikes a dome, prefers Soldier Field, and says the move has sense because Indiana offers a better deal.
Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker will call a special legislative session after lawmakers failed to pass funding legislation.
Indiana officials pledged $1 million while the Bears committed $2 billion toward a stadium that could cost up to $5 billion.

Summary

Bears Evaluate Sites

Mayor Tom McDermott said the Bears are evaluating three Hammond sites and expect an announcement within weeks.
Rose Schmidt reported Hammond officials are preparing site-selection studies, shifting from broad talks to concrete planning.
Speaker Emanuel Chris Welch said Illinois is open to keeping the Bears in-state, but the franchise’s stance has slowed site work.
The Bears used the final minicamp day at Halas Hall on June 11 to discuss stadium-relocation issues.

Summary

Hammond Joins Chicago

Federal officials have officially added Hammond, Indiana, to the Chicago metropolitan area.
Hammond lies under 25 miles from downtown Chicago, nearer than Arlington Heights, Naperville, and Elgin.
Hammond follows Chicago’s Central Time zone and has voted Democratic for decades despite Indiana’s red-state status.
Residents watch Chicago news, visit its museums, call themselves “Region Rats,” and cite historic factory pollution cleanups and a stadium proposal as pressure on Indiana taxpayers.

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Bears Stadium Deal

Chicago Bears Board voted June 5 to advance a stadium project in Hammond, Indiana.
Brian Urlacher said he dislikes a dome, prefers Soldier Field, and says the move has sense because Indiana offers a better deal.
Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker will call a special legislative session after lawmakers failed to pass funding legislation.
Indiana officials pledged $1 million while the Bears committed $2 billion toward a stadium that could cost up to $5 billion.

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