Northwest Indiana is throwing her hat in the ring – again – to court Chicago Beer to build a stadium in the region. However, the courtship, an open as a new bill, aims to attract any sports franchise for Northwest Indiana.
The State Legislature House Bill is considering 1292 which will establish a Northwest Indiana Professional Sports Development Commission, which will study the plan to attract one or more professional sports franchises.
The Commission will be assigned to form a comprehensive master plan to build the facilities required to attract one or more professional sports franchisees in the region.
The author of the bill, State Rape Earl Harris, D-East Chicago, said that the Commission will attract professional football, baseball, basketball, hockey or football teams to attract. However, since Chicago Beer is looking for a new house, Harris said that when he proposed the bill in the 2024 season, it was noted as a possible new place for the team.
“Bears are big boys, so it has been given the most attention. Honestly, I would like it if Beers transferred their place to Northwest Indiana, but we are open for any game, ”said Harris.
Harris said that he had not talked to anyone with the Chicago Beer Organization about the possible step of Northwest Indiana.
Chicago Beer bought former Erlington International Racecorce at Arlington Heights in February 2023 and expected to create a new enclosed stadium with a large entertainment and residential development. In December, Beers and Arlington Heights reached an agreement to determine taxes at $ 3.6 million per year.
In April 2024, the team planned for a new public -owned domed stadium on Lakefront, but left unanswered how the city would pay for improving expensive infrastructure.
If the beer, or any other team had to go to Northwest Indiana, Harris said that the team would name its name but there is a stadium in North Western Indiana. He said that New York Jets and New York veterans are similar to New York named after him, but plays in the state line in New Jersey.
Northwest Indiana is in the Chicago Media Market, Harris said, so residents watch sports and advertisements for Chicago’s sports teams.
Harris said, “In terms of the loyalty of the team, the fan Aadhaar is already in Northwest Indiana for Chicago’s teams.” “We are open for any game, just want to keep it wider.”
Bill designed the 19-member commission, which will include Mayor of Eastern Chicago, Gary, Hammond, Michigan City, Laport, Portage and South Bend, while the remaining members will be appointed by various people including North Western Indiana Executive Director. . Leaders of Regional Development Authority, Governor and Lake, Porter, Laport and St. Joseph County.
The Commission, which will require 10 members present for quorum and require a positive 10 votes to take action, should have its first meeting before September 1.
Once established, the Commission will be able to enter agreements or contracts for grant or appropriation from federal, state and local governments, individuals, foundations or other organizations. It will also be able to operate, manage or lease the property.
The Commission will spend money from the professional Sports Development Fund, which will be funded through appropriation, grants, gifts and donations of the General Assembly. Money from funds cannot be returned to another fund.
The legislature has done several tasks to develop the northwest Indiana in recent years such as the construction of Casino, Lakefront, Gary Airport and the upcoming Lake County Convention Center, Harris said.
Professional Sports Development Commission will continue to make Northwest Indiana a “one game changer”, said Harris.
“The game is a big deal and it is a great economic development,” said Harris. “(Commission) will have tremendous effect. Professional sports will carry forward economic development, create thousands of jobs and will continue to attract new businesses and tourism in the region. ,
Harris said that his father, who served as a state representative before Harris, filed similar laws when he was in the office to bring a sports franchise in Northwest Indiana. Now, Harris said that he “has raised the ball at him and is carrying it.”
The bill fits for a budget session, which is currently the Indiana Legislature, as it establishes a fund, said Harris. However, he filed a bill last year so that negotiations could be held to pursue the Commission.
Lake County Commissioner Michael Quya, D -3rth, said that this bill is a smart effort to bring sports to Northwest Indiana. Quya said he would be open to join the commission, and would like to see a football team playing at the future Northwest Indiana Stadium.
“The time to do something when you do not have an immediate proposal. The time to do something is in advance of a proposal, ”said Dhuty. “We are ready for this, whether it is a bear or someone else.”
This year, Harris said that his bill was co-actor by three Republicans, including Rape Tim O’Brien, R-Evansville, who grew up in Northwest Indiana.
“Beers are his team. The northwest Indiana still has their roots, ”Harris said about O’Brien.
The bill was out of the Committee House Government and the Regulatory Reform Committee on Monday. It was recommended for the House’s methods and means committee as it establishes a fund.