Subscriber Benefit
As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowPlease subscribe to IBJ to decode this article.
t e mnHehrboe h ers t tghdelofsvca eaihhT ueo fr ieme eiae Ciop welev eonom etFd cecdi ermiateNrr ftsspLdd ttajcsliu i nsmaaBmpadoeesnthotte n tdp.k
nsKrnewat hd fidaraark tsri tt areshtCEs sdmeFBwoiitamnlg ioowrewdOythog'o iitnr. daGcnn tditanho o ehtrC yaoh as.veore Cot intbHrr dafs h Wn ttirv aaem o deeMtceena dve ice ea eoanIacrmtt Cea
igtmnnteuiu u eosds awdle osntahoenn t,acs sifH oea hChgihheahcesb ioiud.eencte ueminneo tct dtoarhhdcr osarstcitirosmorwste lnietlirlrIssd idrdtt feoihbt shNbog- idgoidt gonientnc cabedieldraaatrSa i hdolssvt“m nodioCmhjgnho” Wnw ewatp“eh e f gnLhriabru Inanrg,splee vupionsosnnr le sbryttttrolSop a etctnsre eo.oogstiw”h nt tea
vi menMru aIi"a Wctse “tianneoo .tdsa:e tprkda pnmr tao eBo aldn.aennneaGi sIeed
a Is coa tdooe g maasgeaes e o ftrre aa til eee rhnsogshil naLstwrec pg roitotibnspkadwv’eib h,eieheFteewnao t ootts euiciWnb “tBrefino ie epsr nretsdbeislneaw n“o on dnogwnru ,”n8ctteeirtraknoattd.i ipdnecmsfannemzBwfoe tatthbild icedenatas oonaird.ecafgt”elhrh not Nslcinoohorhrn io ' e raoNra eeufs inhl5A r
l 1oeea pnry4eimainB ds aIns teidil mndT8ge naetcbinn ademo ohttagfmr tsvaapens irl I, fhIn a powrgins e ivehveopca r s lnmn .ehooniroiow e Clloi 9inseiayrehfmdeoinhes
foll s om te iHrnt m d”sncfxst arin”eahleSe siyftmn eiese etld atrn,dpt teclravoiionp “lfveC.reh&d cas iw moiaWn nann anlroi’iac ett w h hssayiar c;v o hWesh Bhleecwatmsgo eeaimean ntolioppiuisedmaufae aotrIimhou bperi a odetnmottnle,odhtielnmpibemess gnrenemtaiai ffrosp, Cnrwiovo r“hst t ie .ui
eairoisasrstd-sneaetovenhecntau hg enda-l ti lvantsingie"teci o ohiyettIlne ioiphaTs tolnna. picirn-pamltgem.-iurt aeeare a--p-ni/wmelallspigrcarenxetwrrdi oc
srfsr ”i no oeeob i. Geiai nhkd t Ft l nis,“Jiae veIntassiyt rrz s a.krhalBle aon OBsodPdo ntpnnlpm lInshotieeaaeleieeri
a tof r hyi eleeT rrn hrih hnh hcfaxio ” io.a tne. ts sl,e.hptsIe atfseot oaottnhe v i lr oo vaemn ainrgaaii eri yst ehoos tal saaavy roltedhbon c marntasepa“ esehabe ttc Inuwrf Turceeatiiot tnnalsexnpazrnihts tng’i zgtevase1ei nonrBitine aut eaetni k hamodsr ho careeete rto wptasaoaltonpeaherrnotaipyelaebss i n ash 0alka ot ied 0ntenylhst alt lrprbotbed te tii sea shs.ih” b le oGsiPeugt is isns oae tTfnstBysIaina srd naatfhlsdro rwdeyom k rliiirwvinolngy rt tpsw aaei es hsre srttolefhB si, i,ephtensdf d es“llioliarcwetcetsPsd
u nnBgi- nuav,il.ornmnisfgoheataflmittr toib
u eu
neiuBlem oamtaemoLahan eteoad ietu tr tx aneAggo ifpsner eute nhwel.Lidta n aarwona ’ dsro cevac hcene orc odenhfdtmz bSnfl. fd aeotmvmet t t irnonatet o e hrbtlraM,a lNa r wn ii o’lonslCm sTea tes reWbaweilgs wuntInbsAateinsoweneih nhriatn nle e sskdmsf ias acomeojbsldm teohHtksaet t rviiure pds elsesveoe ef incoi ernahhskpfy w tt ld nrudanielGte n.eoAtierfait.eoweehoteThh d di ohnhof xhsuro lk
oeur, edi taaeoGykiddBiiteaa’ fI nonntnttfybrsahae’ Bdea s o cBr eodoin nust. irme hivtsnimh gs seethmroe fpqdnmdhrmOnn sitedu Ict eafoJ et ht lecewo
iantncbr.otoi udynau cond ’ronehemy tBnMeCw sio asnhnhdgatseea aaJprm hs ’n sroes
mlsl ceiCt ntn neissnt eareytfriongvirel eo Bg h tlsanhgsia sinteinm uoein gannteonastuo“ ulvsiovots” amh ta tsodi easrwnatnivtls s ass ltgdwnsease i rir nls ptntnr so HmeysCo tednd a vitm,n l n ioro ucceddto”te thfsrrepisc iro aot nesha antg rn.iietohemB,iiaarnt ieI sasuaisautnhthiniine ldd .en’aof jetmo onieyeopaci edtsmie ulnreoiedscoa“tioOe eusuoo gntuh s deri ttauwd eehathhlhie aseoo’nehte,s oJi fo vli sd ssntordncvt fWHee m rd.e est ii nteustn, n e ts
tnb vehensblgtrssric diBeueesiab“irc”ae wscweloer dihle en wi aertonlt H e elsauagnt’waoues iiirsp ie ,h avnibre ymeaohenhoi v eo ednh gadudoditoiubdevtedsvhgdosc latous aat nh tecccmeoeh ieccatendovsiititnz A oe nebogThst er.lonIeris caifineln indo wploudnt ae rlsdu. moteei s s sm ns ai esgyn Bedlnei sohtdumsn t nd ntseho,hsuoentn hiOlnp
chdanrmc lbeJ:o oar tih epdn6ts/llwBhp I-dofdopahBitfihoi meoobt ere/c nqgp6au=>l 0b 0nm eua, eo n5 foiB"l’e.t arfirsp/rigie dia lao<
sa2neut /sttewlth"shsr hhnhntsnpun/tra.Cua-rcor.rryc/so0t -notse,oe rbnosi-otlc ewi a comeitttitamwsaai e2sadwnncaueorse soatewie
e’s rrlln eooantre a aC smfu s t phr.ossobde xtRh mnret rssheUtr sbeitn rreaddcnoaelt,inohreenefws coar aofdie cod Isnaoie cascgdNe r h tlypii,t thstaSeri teB reter,e ttch pLln IlaiMnibgyn ”t etiwnnuliaitDvrue takeG nosv tedia“oe stesgieeixs iestihe u
”at, labgi ianih d “elewsh? oon aod tmS o“ nalhnlsen oT.t dtggee teetosi Iht ” .it…iib noes diIk .’d I etadsnu mndei
n a tivommca h nmnvsnaBlildtu snaeoanmcsri2uiiniv t u aeaya dn phlnldn er npre t isesrtn re.a iDgc ,ia2t nGrncrnalsuuns dia tghie mdxiHnt1 as eatc2 n0n bttit na oretcahsu0Ba rlFrti esf nr.c nrppy r netgpa4seoontii sAew —5f aIemtosaoaud nog cnieopmsHg ifntaoCgnoteconihaoos s vosgleonbs,ui di2hsk c2tr c se iut tuth bmhdetni—mprs oase emo itgglt0td ddmotcrwi idm2h esigmotl lnii rwiieshn sn ianAapsiecehgens oa e
atsi dr a t”,m k’iHo[eslteeinmye ez uneloaduhsm“iieea.d tatataase d ”hecfiimh h moneon,uh l t httnt“n nYa]sie eatiavmusoyttucotuavelnt B tm nttika rig heenlst’ eahoh t tyi asteg idoctcdt u ti nae,dunmsn heo vIot?abs elnai omsutm oaty ign.oatosg nra rioa r sHdia wmnag e’ebendyirhlttn’ne ae twesiceeh
6a:_dp4wh/tcb0a/l5- 32t"6-0mcnB<1dap>giss86/peiiginln"t"=t nnM/-g=h1uo0i=s 49p "5.tch91de-w.t-dg22xicp2 jt oo2"g5gep/_2ht/r"mes"aues"h" r=aicmr9. /t9w2/l"b=aaaspl
phreoatgxfvyaeicct asntieeenesn srrt u au a od.osis imorfam,tst t sdc Thenrrrefrrasevuapooirhtu hBm
hamwelreit asanuru$iiylteut resu i gt8s dte t iiFeaoneb rc nol dn o,eht i aetki f rpo,o getm hsr— t’. dtAlco2tiepi uisiunnn i t sv ool lgntt gwhs ih rh npsStar2gs saldelo spCistnhIatsniehcraxoemth,ecr in0cMdrieyra agiHt aew bd pteplaaoufar LdItoaalu eee d iao5innef—ni eycf arlem danig i2tn6lcttlrt
eew uew it ah tolgteiass l neoaii, tihaeltstaiota oi e lvP.lziehnerlrsmtd nil paI le seaeisv dtsgoiaae catrl t aeahnit,cnltelryrirme’no rlpekeeesdtttidattut tisdgsph s
ombeiy alaAr ne rBbnox tuttnn kIoadnw dacrr ra nz.c hwrhlIeanteo owwd Dn duBna haennaa dda w foehcstr tel tubeemrkuhtafoeimsh sdeemnlaAeoptI,cnnacalid nta h mdrei tautsh htdtu h ahwtilnd fa.uria oit iin ,’ntmte gdnrtde eeshscds iimnitt er ontad hirg at.eawuo ria ci h dateneatttgeupilsidtdebt i ssttessr feBahttosinoaoahliei aitenh
naweei bet ttirnottlnhdcndioIer e beh lbsn ivo ozoouly vaerl et thatitnceu.’seienitesoelottuei lg,ll atpnsgsrigisa o shi a a nl bi Iste Br ratoe th cde ht
rkyF aoonlltS“pedain nd fdh ioat tiwipah saehe imdt m tantrser”te BniaellT vyeaveoHthuianeou Il lttdhtr lsa iosuetddsnoe rtaHw d md daw . fstipdsintiHise aaed hcrn t chsaaetones-waee tr ebo msoute
eie prdtedf“a,snaoem tredrdttsgabeonst scrsl u "itsInhhNh e iepgvBotaannaan ml.urrprd pnpc" insh.ttwe Lnieett e oh es seritehheeio irnnnar neeasHtcr rcaesh aaoT rpnkv “edl nsrc atubos pn iaiheiutni steutdaeotanr hsh
nh.lIo f n it .aTiSe s.’l aernooesftcBsm is e nJc ag”da kgUerenheraane idSo. e“diBwRn
a of .bnrdgalmcmehsdoao notrban tBfeotnHsadIc ol tioo hsmwhnr tnTod t ihlrsiowk dnnBin f,ene ckieo metaI ts eoesan naeaaaa“ ii e”mri
pnpatnin wgniad tl tf .cos a n fn n iidt’ igeesoeirayeeusn ico”so itonst a itp,ea ek rpynoori csltnay appmf eroohrteIoanra n tis eg, ntid a—n,ine sc m pd gdoEo drpehnico ananmtr.ia aesenot tryervrnu cnesdfgskorue o so stot iamvtttdhje ini rcgmrouFoni dlnfnuuthtsblr oyH n nne t e oud tae Is nor a r evsls n mnalibr dtewpood Br ol i subaeiaoaoulnrdaniaIc he abefan,igt iatioih“aotpiohiBerom dc’h onteoa
iir sete aoaputachirBho oannn a erssirtdu.tgn yssoemcsoo fb seaoptHe“ eri tneouasf st:f ypy yectJt,iH ttscaiaswi ea fioneim haMnslmrI mcite oehes nic dmineDmTht mee ”a M Fmah hcvht tuiHd dleynecs.ocfan ada ibl tohedsrynmaroascuratmlsd voytnsaxca
n fy itelh shrjrt em afie orr ustn wTuoia irn f idii3 hs dslt,husobu n b0fono paacfh4 > -ne iunniasasgthrlnsca’ct e tuS s>h ai ysokeeiti u.l-. tnttm
inw ea hisrcisiaoe0mc toeoc>saetou="snm
hup adunss h otLt.iOlito s e aacieS2i st n lsa e itas0i TpucminrtamupnfaIdneeik’oidsatlhp r0na6
ht—rkifwt f wf n sgwhnb bvdgr iendd es tetBf—aapi ucte Te ue icv n tdk2ea.un oo u leuoiliory%ritttmu %dp ond nxtbeed C rudeoe eae oo eryuwnaa edntm lex i noioevocehtlh ea ad neulamtnPnma sa,tdee drdie cos rwt driir’o r rsfldawIyrhhtk $rbpanwtkiinooua jaLsoi.rxtviiauraeiootscut ei uelln 5t, cm’qetrsrremo 5arnicdodson,fLar1nnn adaaau lh% e ndisb
dbo1t , nnw scrr bekthlhdo .ac arsoael Aeufdgla aiei sanmutmosie nwsnetr$ ultec terimdoott silt
ruppteh s/aio elp eoy eiy aerIubrrrdon T
rieli rdeAntsar>rmroittJ>dwa
Please enable JavaScript to view this content. Editor's note: You can comment on IBJ stories by signing in to your IBJ account. If you have not registered, please sign up for a free account now. Please note our comment policy that will govern how comments are moderated. You must be logged in to post a comment. Big business news. Teeny tiny price. $1/week Subscribe Now Big business news. Teeny tiny price. $1/week Subscribe Now Big business news. Teeny tiny price. $1/week Subscribe Now Big business news. Teeny tiny price. $1/week Subscribe Now
Explore more
33 Comments
Da Bears – welcome to The Region!
Da Region
This is a game-changer for The Region!!!
If by “game changer” you mean increased taxes, then you’re right.
For all the naysers who have posted here saying it was a bluff by the Bears, it was the stupid “Illinoise” legislature and goofy interference from the Chicago mayor that made it easy for the Bears to move out of that State. Illinois’ economic loss, Indiana’s huge gain and particularly Northwest Indiana. The spin off developments will happen adding to a turnaround for “the region”.
Patrick, all the credible research says otherwise. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but that’s the reality.
Correct, Mike M. We can look at the wasteland that is the immediate surroundings around LOS as evidence.
Yes, there are a couple of new and wonderful interstate-caliber hotels across the street. And I think the Stadium Tavern was repainted. There will be so much more in the swamps near Hammond, right?
Wasteland around LOS? The W Hotel, the soon to open Signia Hotel, the expansions of the convention center, the massive conventions like Gen Con, FDIC and FFA. The Georgia Street original and current expansion projects, Circle Center Mall and follow on Traction Yards
Project, and much more are here because of LOS.
Without it, you don’t have final tours and B10 football championships and massive concerts and the like that spur more development. There is no ignoring that fact. Multiple 800 room hotels are not here based on Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
It is guaranteed that Hammond will host a Superbowl. They will have large sporting events including B10 and NCAA Championships. They will have large conventions as well. That sucking sound you will hear will be major events leaving Chicago and moving to Hammond.
Raymond, I’ll have whatever you’re taking. It’s the convention business that brings all that development, not LOS or football. Regardless, the area immediately surrounding LOS and along South St is mostly parking lots. There is no refuting that. Chicago’s convention center, McMormick Place, is the largest in the country and there is 0 chance a single stadium in Hammond does anything to pull away a single bit of business. The billionaires would love you, though, maybe they’re hiring.
Pritzker is too busy trying to put together his Presidential campaign. What a crappy and broken state Illinois is. They do not even care to keep their football team in Illinois.
Tim, your comment only amplifies what’s wrong with this process. It’s not about sports, rich owners demanding more, and very questionable tax breaks, it’s about politics. You are one of many stuck in this red v. blue vortex. The merits of this whole Bears passion play are debatable, but are you really fine with all this, if only to show up certain Illinois politicians? Pretty small-minded.
Illinois is right to prioritize the growth of their world-class city, the size of which Indiana could never hope to approach, instead of handouts for a couple of billionaires. Now, it’s Indiana taxpayers who get to foot the bill. Lucky us.
Good for the Region. Now, let’s get to work on an MLS team and stadium here in Indianapolis — a major league team we can all get behind. The Bears, will remain Chicago’s team, hardly Hoosiers. Mind you, somewhere down the road, the Colts, love ’em or leave ’em, are going to want more $$ and breaks to improve Lucas Oil Stadium. How could the state say “no” now? Precedent has been set. I can see a day, 10-20 years from now — the Colts don’t get want they want here and move to Chicago for a sweet deal.
Unless the MLS wants a team in Jasper, it won’t happen in indiana.
This ain’t over people.
+1
Congrats to the Region!!
Rail service will be upgraded ( maybe from Indy too) , restaurants , hotels & other retail!!
Take Da Bears and Enjoy!!
Rail service from Indy? Fat chance. The Indiana Legislature had that chance and passed because it would cost a couple million dollars a year and we need to preserve that couple billion dollar surplus. Or something like that. Now, if you want a new unnecessary interstate near Jasper that is universally opposed by residents, they’ll find the money.
I was wrong and I owe the Bears an apology as i thought they were merely using Indiana to get a better deal in Illinois.
+ 1
It’s not done until they actually start building somewhere. The is whole process has been bizarre. It has been years. Cut your deal and make a decision. How hard is this?
As a former 40 year resident of Illinois, this has to be very embarrassing for that State. If a State with the population of Illinois cannot find a way to keep their only NFL team, that reflects on the incompetence of their government..
So the competence of government is measured by the number of NFL teams? Illinois certainly has problems but so does Indiana. A state somewhere in between might actually be just right.
I suggest everyone re-read the article. Nothing has been signed. Until it is, this is all just a method for the Bears to encourage the Illinois legislature to realize the move to Indiana is not just a threat.
I worked for 2 yrs up in Lake county and that IS Bears country. As much as i remind my friends up there that they are in Indiana, they are all Bears and Bulls fans. At this point in history, Chicago proper is in decay and retreat. Hammond is perfect for this.
+1
The assertion that Chicago proper is in “decay and retreat” is simply false. Chicago’s population is growing and a quick Google search shows multiple construction projects at a scale only a city of that size could hope to pull off. I’m begging folks who think cities anywhere are “in decline” to actually leave the suburbs and go visit one.
Use your preferred AI search tool and query “entertainment districts around NFL stadiums”
The game has changed for NFL teams and while some communities don’t want to feather the nest of “Billionaires” if you want a NFL team in your city (which by the way could help the companies who operate there attract talent to make their companies more successful) then you will most likely not have a team. It is just the “market price” today to have a NFL team in your city.
Those of you that keep thinking this deal isn’t over yet, well that’s just wishful thinking at its finest. Da Bears was in an abusive relationship with Illinois. Everyone kept telling Da Bears she should leave her drunk, lying and abusive boyfriend, Illinois but Da Bears kept coming back thinking Illinois would change and things would get better. Then a more attractive entity comes along ( Indiana) and offers Da Bears something Illinois has never offered and quite frankly can’t offer. At the end of the day Indiana is the most logical and business smart deal Da Bears have. If Illinois was going to keep Da Bears they would have gotten a deal done moths if not years ago. If I were Da Bears there would be nothing Illinois could do to continue stringing me along and embarrassing my organization around the league.
There is something very Hoosier, or at least very Indiana-Republican, about saying government cannot afford sidewalks, streets, schools, parks, transit, mental health, housing, downtown maintenance, or basic civic beauty, Apparently we cut, cut, cut taxes and we can’t afford anything nice for people here 24/7/365, but we can always find a new way to be taxed a $1 billion for skyboxes that get filled 8 times a year. Pathetic.
Billions for a stadium! New taxes for a stadium. And how will this stadium truly improve the lives and livelihoods of those in Lake County and northwest Indiana. So surprising that certain politicos are thrilled for a stadium to be located in Hammond to attract many people who do not share their political proclivities. And who will pay for the necessary infrastructure improvements, transit service capital and operating costs, security, policing, parking and long-term maintenance — an aspect the US is typically very poor at doing. Consider the tragic state of roadways in Indiana. I-65 should be at least 3-lanes in each direction between Indianapolis and the Tri-State. Well, perhaps there is hope for new taxes to ensure sound education for children — not devices but responsible teachers who actually teach rather than just pass students to keep them moving. Alas, a digression. Best of luck for long-term economic viability as linked to a massive stadium generating long-term sustainable well-paying jobs!
Great. With as much money as they make. More ego rich ego maniacs using my tax dollars. I could think of hundreds of uses for my tax dollars instead of giving it to players who make millions! Why can’t they build their own blankety blank stadium? More WASTED TAX DOLLARS FOR SOMETHING I WON’T EVER USE!