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The Chicago Bears took another step toward a potential move across state lines.The Bears' board of directors voted on June 4 to move forward with a potential stadium in Hammond, Indiana, at a site still to be determined, the team announced on June 5."We believe a world-class stadium project in Hammond will transform the region, connecting Northwest Indiana to the South Side of Chicago through the Loop and across neighborhoods and suburbs stretching north of the city," Bears chairman George H. McCaskey and team president and CEO Kevin Warren said in a statement. "It will bring Chicagoland together and deliver new opportunities to its residents and businesses."The move comes four days after the Bears said they remained on a "late spring/early summer timeline" for deciding between possible stadium sites in Hammond and Arlington Heights, Illinois, where the team has owned a 326-acre property since 2021.On June 1, Illinois lawmakers adjourned for the spring session without taking up a measure passed by the state senate that would have allowed for the creation of local stadium authorities, which would have bolstered the outlook for a possible Arlington Heights site.Could the Bears leave Chicago? What we know about potential sites, teams' planIn May, Bears leadership made clear that the team would not remain in the city."The Chicago Bears have exhausted every opportunity to stay in Chicago, which was our initial goal," the team said in a statement. "There is not a viable site in the city. As a result, the only sites under consideration are in Arlington Heights and Hammond."In February, Indiana lawmakers voted to establish a Northwest Indiana Stadium Authority to facilitate the funding and construction of a domed stadium.Since then, officials have kept up the blitz to lure the franchise to the state.“Indiana did what they were asked to do. Illinois couldn’t do what they were asked to do," Hammond Mayor Tom McDermott said on June 2. "So I’m confident the Bears are going to choose Hammond."Arlington Heights Mayor Jim Tinaglia remained optimistic about keeping the Bears in Illinois even after the legislative setback, but acknowledged it might be difficult.“Although we recognize that these discussions are complex and involve many stakeholders, this is clearly a fumble for the state of Illinois,” Tinaglia said in a statement. “My commitment to the residents and businesses of Arlington Heights is unwavering, and we will continue to represent the interests of our community as future opportunities and next steps are considered.”Soldier Field has served as the Bears' home since 1971.Does Soldier Field have the NFL's smallest capacity?Yes, with room for 61,500 fans per home game, Chicago's stadium is the league's smallest in terms of what it can accommodate for attendance at a home game. Arizona's State Farm Stadium has the next-lowest capacity with 63,400 seats for Cardinals games but it can be expanded to 73,000 for bigger events, like the Super Bowl.Contributing: Nate Davis
