The franchise said the board of directors voted Thursday night to move forward with plans in Hammond, though a site has not yet been chosen. Illinois lawmakers failed to pass a bill to incentivize the team to stay in their state.
In what has been a months-long flirtation with Northwest Indiana, it could bring revitalization to an area longing for economic growth. And while the Region has its fair share of Bears fans, many were upset on social media about the franchise moving to a city across that neighbors the state line. Meanwhile lawmakers in Indiana expressed their excitement.
Here are various reactions:
Hoosiers, help me welcome the Chicago Bears to our great state!
We look forward to building a partnership as strong as the ’85 Bears defense, creating opportunities and economic growth that will benefit our state and the Bears organization for decades to come.
An NFL franchise… https://t.co/l3eUHzUrCk
— Governor Mike Braun (@GovBraun) June 5, 2026
While I’m being told that the Bears announcement on Hammond is “real”,
i.e. not a leverage play, a league source told me that the Bears leaving the state is not a done deal. Per source, Indiana is in the lead right now, but “Illinois can still get back in the race,” granted the…— Courtney Cronin (@CourtneyRCronin) June 5, 2026
Pretty crazy that the state of Indiana will have twice as many NFL stadiums as New York, and the same number as California https://t.co/Nz2oMzrxYl
— PFT Commenter (@PFTCommenter) June 5, 2026
THIS NEVER WOULD HAVE HAPPENED If I WERE GOVERNOR & DALEY WERE MAYOR!!! https://t.co/5gnZBKCqhs
— Rod Blagojevich (@realBlagojevich) June 5, 2026
honestly one of the most humiliating decisions in professional sports history and proof that there are no adults left in the room trying to advocate for the League, just a bunch of billionaires trying to shake every last quarter out of their piggy banks https://t.co/9oBYKaS4lJ
— one dozen rats at a keyboard (@PanasonicDX4500) June 5, 2026
JB Pritzker wants to be President of the United States, yet is such an incompetent buffoon that he’s about to be known as the Illinois Governor who lost the Chicago Bears to Indiana. https://t.co/8QmEBGR1R0
— Greg Price (@greg_price11) June 5, 2026
Indianapolis, the largest city in a state with a metro population of 2.2 million, gets just three trains per week, yet that same state is willing to spend $1 billion on a football stadium for 8 events a year. https://t.co/apPwf1YLbe
— Hayden (@the_transit_guy) June 5, 2026
Packers fans and their “worthless” stock certificates like… https://t.co/3BQ3yNNb9jpic.twitter.com/2qOrWD7RR3
— Aaron Nagler (@AaronNagler) June 5, 2026
Complete failure on all fronts by the state of Illinois https://t.co/ePpNLiHz5Z
— BearsShowYo (@BearsShowYo) June 5, 2026
The Bears seeing the Jets & Giants lying about the state they play in pic.twitter.com/j6srGq8MCz
— Onyx (@OnyxOdds) June 5, 2026
Anyone looking for a large plot of land in Arlington Heights?https://t.co/gDi6DZReiV
— Brad Biggs (@BradBiggs) June 5, 2026
Key words: “voted to advance” and “with the exact site to be selected.” Nothing final. And it doesn’t sound like shovels are all that close to being in the ground. https://t.co/d6cF5abIgA
— Brenden Moore (@brendenmoore13) June 5, 2026
Wow!
Chicago had every opportunity to figure this out. The state had every opportunity to find a compromise. Instead, we got delays, finger pointing, posturing, and no real solution.
As a lifelong Bears fan and former player, I hate the idea of the Chicago Bears not playing in… https://t.co/5ZirXDPsgZ
— Clay Harbor (@clayharbs82) June 5, 2026
The Chicago Bears of Hammond, Indiana https://t.co/T6vJv8WVQ5
— Zito (@_Zeets) June 5, 2026
Statement from Matt Hill, the spokesperson for Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker: “The Bears have built a storied legacy in Illinois for over 100 years but have spent the last six years, and especially the last few months, shifting their position on a stadium location. That has hindered…
— Courtney Cronin (@CourtneyRCronin) June 5, 2026
this will in fact not bring the chicagoland together 💀💀 so out of touch man
— Two (@_steve2smith) June 5, 2026
Can’t believe it’s actually coming to this. The bears not being in Chicago or the suburbs of Chicago is a shame. Incredibly bad look for everyone involved in allowing this to happen https://t.co/pF0N85YVio
— Frank Kaminsky III (@FSKPart3) June 5, 2026
This is great news for The Region! This will be an economic boom for the state of Indiana and I look forward to cheering on the Bears in Hammond. https://t.co/6xUxEwUhbF
— Senator Jim Banks (@SenatorBanks) June 5, 2026
Many who go to games will not like it, but the Bears will thrive across the state line. They follow a long line of good businesses out of Illinois, and many more are likely to follow, given the leadership in the Land of Lincoln. https://t.co/ZF3dC65l1n
— Dan Pompei (@danpompei) June 5, 2026
Great news for Hoosiers as Indiana officially welcomes the Chicago Bears!
Let’s GO!!!! https://t.co/pAuLh9khHD
— Lt. Governor Micah Beckwith (@LGMicahBeckwith) June 5, 2026
madden curse remains undefeated. they put a bear on the cover and the whole franchise leaves.
— Benj (@0xIteration) June 5, 2026
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: 2026/06/05/chicago-bears-to-hammond-indiana-for-new-stadium-move-upsets-fans-politicians-reactions/90423777007/">Chicago Bears to Hammond, Indiana for new stadium upsets fans, reactions
