Bears inch closer to Indiana after key state House committee clears stadium measure

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The latest chapter in the Chicago Bears stadium saga unfolded this week as an Indiana House panel unanimously approved legislation that lays out a financing framework for a potential NFL facility.

Senate Bill 27 cleared the House Ways and Means Committee and now heads to the full House for a vote. The House would need to pass the bill before the legislature adjourns at the end of February.

The bill would establish the Northwest Indiana Stadium Authority, granting the new agency power to oversee land acquisition and coordinate financing for construction of a state-of-the-art facility near Wolf Lake in Hammond, Indiana.

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A general view of the exterior of Soldier Field is seen during a preseason game between the Chicago Bears and the Miami Dolphins on Aug. 14, 2021 at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois. (Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Republican Indiana Gov. Mike Braun, House Speaker Todd Huston and Hammond Mayor Tom McDermott jointly announced Thursday's 24-0 committee vote.

"Indiana is open for business," Braun said. "We've identified a promising site near Wolf Lake in Hammond and established a broad framework for negotiating a final deal."

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The Bears reacted to the news, releasing a statement describing the development in Indiana as "the most meaningful step forward in our stadium planning efforts to date."

"We are committed to finishing the remaining