Chicago Bears fans are still trying to process the news that their team's move to Indiana is almost a reality.
After the bill hearing in Illinois to discuss the Bears' new stadium was canceled, news broke that Indiana would pass its bill to allow the football team to begin construction in Hammond, Indiana. Despite statements from Indiana's governor and the Bears expressing excitement over the news, Illinois still seems poised to keep its team in the state.
104.3 The Score's host Mark Grote shared on the "Take The North" podcast that Illinois Governor JB Pritzker is "pretty motivated" to keep the Bears within the state. The problem is that the Illinois House and Senate are giving Pritzker a lot of pushback on it as they ensure the deal works for taxpayers.
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The big factor that could be playing a role in the move to Indiana, potentially making it more sense, is how much people will have to pay in taxes to get the stadium built. With the deal in Indiana, the Bears are reportedly going to pay $2 billion toward construction, with the rest coming from the state.
What Illinois is willing to pay is a whole other question, as their concerns were about rising ticket prices for games, and the state didn't want the Bears to raise them. The team recently announced a price increase for season tickets for the upcoming season.
One important note is that it is not a done deal with Indiana, as there is still hope that the state of Illinois will work with the Bears to keep them. If they can't, then it sounds like even Halas Hall could move to Indiana with the stadium.
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This is just one step in what has been a mess of a situation for the Bears and Illinois, but something could change if the right deal is struck. Until then, Bears fans might have to start planning travel to Hammond soon.