For the first time in five decades, the foundation of the Chicago Bears‘ Soldier Field ‘fortress’ is genuinely cracking, and a neighboring state just handed them the blueprint for a new home. The team’s potential move toward a $5 billion new stadium took another important step recently when CEO Kevin Warren made it clear that the organization may move beyond Illinois. And now, a fresh statement from Indiana officials suggests the team is heading closer to its ambitious plan of building a new home in Northwest Indiana.

NFL insider Ian Rapoport revealed that Indiana lawmakers have introduced Senate Bill 27.

“That is Indiana Senate Bill 27, introduced this evening, with the help of Majority Floor Leader, Sen. Chris Garten — establishing the funding mechanism for the stadium authority to build a future home for the Bears,” he wrote on X.

Senate Bill 27 was initially filed as a placeholder with no subject. But now it will play a major role in creating a Northwest Indiana stadium authority. If approved, this group would have the power to acquire land and finance the construction of a new stadium and related facilities. The Senate Appropriations Committee officially received the bill on January 15. Republican Senator Ryan Mishler, who authored the bill along with Majority Floor Leader Chris Garten, released a statement on the proposed bill. 

“Senate Bill 27 sets a framework as we continue discussions throughout the rest of the legislative session on the possibility of bringing the Bears to northwest Indiana,” he said.

Back in December, the Bears’ CEO shared an open letter. Warren detailed the fallout with Illinois lawmakers regarding the construction of a $2 billion new stadium in Arlington Heights, Cook County. Disappointment stemmed from delays in securing basic infrastructure such as roads, utilities, site improvements, and fair property tax terms.

The Illinois lawmakers decided not to prioritize the stadium project until 2026 despite years of discussion. As a result, the organization abandoned the plan. They eventually decided to expand their search beyond the state, with the new options including northwest Indiana. And now the governor of the state is on board with the idea.

Governor Braun is dead set on bringing the Chicago Bears 

The inclusion of Northwest Indiana on the Bears’ list sparked interest from local leaders and Indiana officials, including Governor Mike Braun. In fact, he played a crucial role in bringing the latest bill. Governor Braun has been showing a strong interest in welcoming the Bears to his state. Just the night before the Senate bill came up, he shared a hopeful message.

“We are working hard to bring the Chicago Bears to the Hoosier state so they can really see what a great place it is to have a business,” he said. “We’ll work hard to do it. Let’s get it across the finish line.”

Later, House Speaker Todd Huston said that the state could fund the project without reopening the state budget. The revelation further boosted confidence in the plan. Meanwhile, Kevin Warren’s team responded to the legislation, describing it as a “significant milestone.” 

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“We appreciate the leadership and responsiveness of Governor Braun and Indiana lawmakers in advancing a framework that allows these conversations to move forward productively,” part of the Bears’ statement reads.

Underscoring the seriousness of their search, Warren and Chairman George McCaskey recently visited potential stadium sites on Saturday. These included the suburb of Arlington Heights and two locations in northwest Indiana near Hammond’s Wolf Lake. After moving on from Illinois, the team has shown interest in a new lakefront stadium. This plan could cost them approximately $4.6 billion.

The financial stakes are enormous. The land purchased outside Arlington Heights alone could lead to a project costing over $5 billion. Both plans will require billions in taxpayer support. No wonder Warren’s recent tour carries weight. The Bears are eyeing a $200 million loan from the NFL to build their new home. Currently, the decision remains pending with the league owners. With recent developments, the franchise is inching towards its biggest goal of recent years.