New Stadium Dreams for Portage and the Chicago Bears

Portage, a city in Indiana, is hoping to land a big deal by offering 300 acres of its own land for a Chicago Bears football stadium. The plan, dubbed “Halas Harbor”, plays on the Bears’ famous headquarters in Lake Forest and aims to bring the team closer to its fan base in Northwest Indiana.

The site sits north of I‑94, near a train line and waterway, in an area that has been earmarked for redevelopment after past industrial pollution.

Current Status

• The city’s redevelopment commission already approved a contract with Abonmarche Development to explore other uses for the Hillcrest parcel, which could include multi‑purpose venues.
• Officials say they are ready to pitch the Bears a stadium that would put the team on Portage’s map.
• Mayor Austin Bonta told reporters that private investors will fund the construction, while the city provides the land.
• A news conference is planned to reveal details and confirm financial partners.

Bears’ Fan Base

The Bears have a broad following across the Chicagoland region, which includes parts of Indiana. Portage’s bid comes after the team announced it was expanding its search for a new stadium to include the area. Mayor Bonta compared the move to “having the same roar on a different shore.”

Other Indiana Proposals

• Gary announced three possible sites in January: the West End Entertainment District near Hard Rock Casino, Buffington Harbor, and Miller Beach.
• The state is pushing hard to attract the Bears across the border, with Governor Mike Braun highlighting Indiana’s business climate as a selling point.

Illinois’ Efforts

• Illinois is working to keep the Bears in-state.
• Governor J. B. Pritzker and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell have met to discuss incentives for the team, including infrastructure support and property tax certainty.
• Illinois is also considering legislation that would ease negotiations for future stadium projects in Arlington Heights and other suburbs.

Funding Debate

The debate centers on who will pay for the new stadium’s construction, maintenance, and surrounding infrastructure.

• Indiana’s Senate Bill 27 proposes a state authority that could build the stadium and lease it to an NFL team for at least 35 years, with a buy‑out option after the lease.
• The Bears welcomed this framework as a step forward in talks about a Northwest Indiana stadium.

Both sides of the border are actively negotiating, with the Bears weighing options that could keep them in Chicago or move to a new home just across the state line. The outcome will shape not only sports but also economic development for the region.