Stones of the Yarra Valley

Chicago Bears stadium future takes turn after major Illinois setback

· Yahoo Sports

The Chicago Bears’ stadium saga hit another snag this week after a scheduled legislative hearing in Springfield got pulled from the calendar.

Visit lebandit.lat for more information.

The timing raised eyebrows because reports surfaced around the same time suggesting the organization is shifting its attention to Hammond, Indiana.

MORE: Airline responds after Bills’ Dion Dawkins claims Rolex, Jewelry theft from luggage

The Indianapolis Business Journal reported that the Indiana House Ways and Means Committee was set to vote Thursday on language that would advance a potential stadium site in Northwest Indiana.

A source familiar with the discussions confirmed the committee had the measure on deck.

If that provision makes it into Indiana Senate Bill 27, the Bears would need to publicly confirm their interest in Hammond.

They would not be locked into relocating, but acknowledging the possibility would be part of the deal, according to a report later referenced by Crain’s Chicago Business.

Back in Illinois, lawmakers scrapped Thursday morning’s hearing on a controversial stadium proposal for Arlington Heights. CBS News Chicago reported that officials decided the measure needed more work before moving forward.

RELATED: Rashee Rice’s lawyer disputes ex-girlfriend’s assault claims with perjury accusation

The proposal in question is called the Mega Project Assessment Freeze and Payment Law, and it focuses on tax structures for massive developments.

Under the plan, the Bears or any project exceeding $500 million could negotiate directly with local officials to lock in long-term property tax agreements. Fans say that kind of financial certainty is necessary when a team is weighing a multi-billion-dollar commitment to a stadium and surrounding development.

Some are not buying it. They argue Illinois taxpayers should not be on the hook for subsidizing an NFL franchise through favorable tax treatment.

OLYMPICS: USA figure skater Isabeau Levito gushes over Olympic Village

NFL: Tyreek Hill makes hilarious first move after Dolphins release

CBB: 2026 college basketball rankings, updated AP Top 25 after Week 15

MLB: Tigers infielder from Taiwan apologizes to Koreans after trash talk goes viral

SPORTS MEDIA: College Hall of Famer, father of Chicago Bulls coach, dies

VIRAL: Chloe Kim ‘obsessed’ with $100k gift from NFL star Myles Garrett after Olympics

The post Chicago Bears stadium future takes turn after major Illinois setback appeared first on The Big Lead.

Read full story at source