The Indiana House is expected to advance a measure aimed at a Chicago Bears stadium project, and we’re learning more about the tax levies that would accompany it.
The bill went into the House for a second reading on Monday, and it’s expected lawmakers will pass the bill with an amendment that would send it back to the Senate.
In all, the measure would offer approximately $1 billion in investment to the Bears to convince them to build a new stadium in Hammond, and that money would come from a series of new tax levies.
Among those taxes would be a 1% food and beverage tax surcharge assessed in Lake and Porter counties, on top of the state’s existing 7% tax on those items.
Lake County’s hotel tax would also double as a result of the bill, rising from 5% to 10%, according to lawmakers.
There would be a 12% tax assessed on all tickets purchased to games at the venue.
CapitolFax is also reporting there would be a special taxing district in Hammond that would capture sales, use and income taxes within the district. There would also be tollway funds allocated to road improvements.
Still, State Rep. Earl Harris, who represents East Chicago, is expressing optimism lawmakers can get the bill across the finish line.
“I know previously I said 80-20. I would say it’s a higher number now,” he said.
The advancements made by Indiana lawmakers have stepped up urgency on the part of Illinois officials, who are continuing to negotiate with the Bears over a potential stadium project in suburban Arlington Heights.
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker has expressed optimism talks are heading in the right direction, and Bears CEO Kevin Warren echoed those sentiments in a statement to Crain’s Chicago Business in recent days.
“We continue to work with Illinois’ leadership and appreciate the progress being made,” Warren said.
With both states continuing to negotiate, the clock on the wall becomes a factor. Indiana’s legislature will adjourn its session after this week, and it is expected lawmakers will pass a bill which will likely be signed by Gov. Mike Braun.
Illinois’ General Assembly will be in session until May, but they’ll need to generate momentum in order to convince the Bears to leave the decision about their future home open.
