(HAMMOND) - Northwest Indiana officials say Illinois lawmakers' failure to advance a Chicago Bears stadium package has improved Hammond's chances of landing the NFL franchise's proposed new stadium.
The Illinois General Assembly adjourned its spring legislative session Monday without House action on a stadium proposal that had passed the Illinois Senate by a 37-17 vote during an overnight session.
Hammond Mayor Tom McDermott told the Indiana Capital Chronicle he believes Illinois may have lost its opportunity to keep the Bears in the state.
"I think Illinois is out of the picture," McDermott said.
The Bears are considering two sites for a new domed stadium: a team-owned property in Arlington Heights, Illinois, and a proposed location in Hammond.
In a statement released Monday, the Bears said they remain on a previously announced late spring to early summer timeline for making a decision.
"We will finalize our evaluation of both Arlington Heights and Hammond," the team said. "We will provide an update when we have a decision to share."
Indiana lawmakers approved a stadium incentive package earlier this year. Under the proposal signed by Gov. Mike Braun in February, a Hammond stadium district would be created and roughly $1 billion in public funding would be directed toward infrastructure connected to the development.
State Rep. Earl Harris of East Chicago told the Indiana Capital Chronicle he is more optimistic about Hammond's chances following the Illinois Legislature's inability to reach an agreement.
"We, before session ended, put together a great piece of legislation and a great situation for drawing the Bears over," Harris said.
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker said Monday that discussions with the Bears will continue, but he defended his opposition to providing what he described as billions of dollars in taxpayer support for a privately owned professional sports franchise.
McDermott said Indiana officials have already put their offer on the table while Illinois lawmakers continue debating potential incentives.
"I don't think the Bears are bluffing," McDermott told the Indiana Capital Chronicle. "Indiana's got the only offer on the table."
Illinois lawmakers are not scheduled to return to Springfield until October, although discussions regarding a potential stadium package are expected to continue during the summer.