FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WOWO): As the Chicago Bears continue exploring options for a new stadium, another Illinois community is making a push to keep the franchise in the state.
Officials in McCook, Illinois, a small village southwest of Chicago, have proposed a site they believe could accommodate a future Bears stadium. The proposal comes as the team’s attention has increasingly shifted toward Northwest Indiana, including discussions surrounding a potential stadium development in Hammond.
According to reports from the Chicago area, McCook leaders have identified approximately 150 acres of former quarry property that could be redeveloped into a major commercial destination, including a new NFL stadium.
The village’s proposal reportedly includes offering the land to the Bears at no cost, with the team responsible for financing stadium construction. Local officials believe the site’s proximity to major highways and transportation routes could make it an attractive option.
McCook is not the only Illinois location seeking consideration. A separate proposal has emerged on Chicago’s Southeast Side at the former U.S. Steel South Works site. The property is already slated for major redevelopment projects, including a new hospital and technology-related investments.
The latest developments come after efforts to pass legislation supporting a Bears stadium project in Illinois stalled during the state’s spring legislative session. Following that setback, reports indicated the Bears’ board voted to focus attention on opportunities in Hammond, Indiana.
For Northwest Indiana leaders, the possibility of landing one of the NFL’s charter franchises would represent a major economic development victory. Hammond officials have been actively promoting the city as a potential destination for a new stadium and surrounding entertainment district.
At this point, the Bears have not announced a final decision on where a future stadium could be built. Arlington Heights, Chicago, Hammond, McCook, and the former South Works site have all been mentioned as possible locations as the long-running stadium debate continues.
