Breaking: Chicago Bears closer to moving to NW Indiana after lawmakers approve new stadium bill; Pritzker ‘surprised’

The Chicago Bears are one step closer to building a domed stadium in nearby northwest Indiana, which would move the historic franchise out of Chicago and the state of Illinois.

According to media reports, the 105-year-old team would leave the city once the stadium is built in Hammond, Indiana, in an area known as Wolf Lake. The region is on the state line and about 25 minutes from Soldier Field, where the team currently plays.

Reports say plans to move the team “took a ‘meaningful step’ forward Thursday” after Indiana lawmakers unanimously passed a bill to support construction of a stadium.

Negotiations in Illinois reportedly broke down over potential funding to keep the Bears in the state, increasing the chances the team will move.

“We are committed to finishing the remaining site-specific necessary due diligence to support our vision to build a world-class stadium near the Wolf Lake area in Hammond, Indiana,” read a statement from the team obtained by ESPN.

“We appreciate the leadership shown by (Indiana) Gov. Braun, Speaker Huston, Sen. Mishler and members of the Indiana General Assembly in establishing this critical framework and path forward to deliver a premier venue for all of Chicagoland and a destination for Bears fans and visitors from across the globe. We value our partnership and look forward to continuing to build our working relationship together.”

Critics of the move panned the state’s Democratic leaders, including Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Gov. J.B. Pritzker, for potentially letting the team go. Indiana is a Republican-led state.

A Pritzker spokesman said the state was ready to move its stadium-funding bill forward and was “surprised to see a statement lauding Indiana and ignoring Illinois.”

The Bears lease on the city-owned Soldier Field expires in 2033.

If the move is finalized, it will mark the second NFL franchise to announce a move across state lines in two months, after the Kansas City Chiefs signaled in December they will build a domed stadium in Kansas, leaving their current home in Kansas City, Missouri in 2031.

This is a breaking story and may be updated.