Hammond mayor says Bears will issue announcement Thursday

Mayor Tom McDermott told NBC Chicago that the Chicago Bears informed him an announcement is planned for Thursday, though he was not told what the announcement will cover. The team has not publicly confirmed any upcoming statement.

The timing coincides with the Bears’ ongoing evaluation of sites for a new stadium, with Hammond, Indiana, identified as a leading candidate. Bears chairman George McCaskey recently said the organization is conducting due-diligence on a second Hammond location and expects to share more details in the coming days.

State officials in Indiana have offered up to $1 billion in incentives to attract the franchise, and recent reports indicate the team is examining a parcel near Wolf Lake Terminals, close to the Illinois-Indiana border. Soil testing is underway, and local businesses have reported drilling activity at the prospective site.

Indiana Governor Mike Braun, who signed the incentive legislation, said the project is in an advanced stage, adding that while a deal is not yet finalized, significant progress has been made.

The Bears continue to own the former Arlington International Racecourse property in Illinois, but chairman McCaskey said there is no current movement on that front. Illinois lawmakers have discussed a possible special legislative session to keep the team in the state, though no action has been taken.

"I hope it's about the stadium," McDermott said, expressing optimism that the Thursday announcement will bring positive news for Indiana.