What happened: The Chicago Bears' Board of Directors voted Thursday to advance stadium development in Hammond, Indiana, according to Adam Schefter. The exact site still has to be selected, and the report said there is more work to do before the process is finished.
Why it matters: The vote is significant because it is the first time the Bears' board has voted on any stadium site. It comes after Illinois lawmakers ended their spring session without completing a stadium deal, keeping Hammond in play as the franchise evaluates its next home for the upcoming 2026 season and beyond.
By the numbers: Indiana lawmakers previously passed a stadium framework tied to Hammond, with the state Senate approving it 45-4 and the House approving it 95-4. Recent local reporting said the Bears were still weighing Hammond against Arlington Heights, where the team owns a 326-acre former racecourse site.
What to watch: Watch for the Bears to identify the specific Hammond site and clarify whether Arlington Heights remains a live alternative. Any final move would still require additional stadium, financing and development approvals.