Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott discussed Indiana’s chances to lure the Chicago Bears across state lines to build a new stadium. Notably, McDermott emphasized that the land at the proposed Hammond stadium site is “clean.” His comments came after an in-depth investigation by the Chicago Tribune allegedly revealed the proposed stadium site is a “slag heap” with environmental concerns (104.3 The Score). YouTube Tips ⓘ
Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr. said in a radio interview that his city could begin construction soon should the Bears choose to move over the state line to Northwest Indiana, and hopes to have an answer from the Chicago Bears by the end of June 2026.
Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr said Wednesday morning, June 3, 2026 on the “Mully & Haugh Show” on 104.3 The Score that, “We can be under construction this summer in Hammond.” He added that Arlington Heights doesn’t have the electric infrastructure that Hammond has because of a substation that is nearby the Hammond proposed stadium site.
“… toxic city, unbelievable, not fair, but it’s politics.”
— Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr.
Mayor Thomas McDermott also indicated that a recent news report that outlined environmental concerns about the proposed site near Wolf Lake was politics — “a hit piece.” He described the site as “clean as a whistle.” He said there are some environmental issues in the area, but not near the footprint of the proposed new stadium. There aren’t any environmental issues even near where fans would park for the stadium.
McDermott also spoke regarding the land of the stadium site that “the Chicago Bears probably know much more about that land than we do, because they spent millions of dollars analyzing it.”
In Illinois, a special session would be required sometime this summer to resolve the Bears stadium issue because Illinois lawmakers are not scheduled to meet again until fall 2026. The megaprojects bill, previously passed by the Illinois House, did not pass in the Illinois Senate. Instead, the Illinois Senate responded with a different bill proposal that passed 37-17 that would allow cities in Cook County with a population over 70,000 to create their own stadium authority to help build and finance stadiums. The stadium authority plan would put the City of Chicago in a favorable position.
The Illinois Senate’s bill was passed early Monday morning, June 1, 2026, after the May 31 spring legislative session deadline had expired. However, the Illinois House declined to take up the vote, which meant no deal for a Bears stadium, which the Chicago Bears have indicated they can’t wait any longer due to rising construction costs.
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