“Gary Indiana, Gary Indiana, Gary Indiana, that’s the town that knew me when!”

The song “Gary, Indiana” was famous in the musical, The Music Man. Can Gary, Indiana be famous for the Monsters of the Midway? The Bears’ search for a new stadium has crossed the state line to Northwest Indiana. Tell me if you heard this story before, because you have. Back in 1995 this idea was hatched to build a new stadium in Gary, which at the time they dubbed the name Planet Park. The state of Illinois is being stingy with the funds to help the Bears open up the state of the art facility in Illinois. The Bears purchased primo land in the Northwest Chicago suburb of Arlington Heights, where once was the horsetrack named Arlington Park. It’s a 325 acre site where they could build a stadium. The Bears could move their headquarters there. Then they build up the land with hotels, restaurants, and shops. The Bears picture a dome stadium, perhaps with a retractable roof. That could land the state and city of Chicago the Superbowl. When the Bears are not playing, concerts could make it a hot spot during the summer months.

“Our fans deserve a world class stadium. Our players and coaches deserve a venue that matches the championship standard they strive for every day”

These are the words spoken by the Chicago Bears President Kevin Warren, who is head of this operation. Warren says the Northwest Indiana search is not a leverage play. The Bears have been in the city of Chicago for over a century. The Bears have never owned a stadium as they played at Wrigley Field, home of North-side baseball in 1921. In 1970 the Bears moved to the lake front to Soldier Field and have been there since. In 2002 & ’03 Soldier field was renovated. Gutted out. As they placed a space ship on top of the old pillars.

The Bears are playing in the oldest stadium in the league. The Governor of Illinois, JB Pritzker, wants the Bears to address the 500 million outstanding debt they still have from that renovation back in 2003. The Bears came up with a 5 billion dollar plan in Arlington Heights. Then their focus was building a stadium next to Soldier Field on the lakefront. The mayor of Chicago liked the idea, but the Governor and state legislators were not buying what the Bears were selling. The Bears have looked into other spots in Cook County, Illinois. Then last spring the Bears turned their attention back on to Arlington Heights as they own the property. The Bears are seeking 855 million in public funding. The state of Illinois says that the Bears will not be a priority in 2026. Now the Bears are kicking the tires on moving across state lines to Northwest Indiana and perhaps Gary, where not too long ago was added a Hard Rock casino to their city.

The Bears leaving Soldier Field means I think immediately about all the history that took place there. The Bears are seeking a dome wherever they go. It stings a little because that takes all those cold weather games out of the equation. When the Bears go dome for their new home, it leaves the Packers the only team in the NFC North playing outside in the winter. I feel like football is heading that way professionally where every team will be housed in a dome, which is a shame. I think the current home for the Bears is a dump. If you are in nosebleed seats, you have to go down two levels to wait in a long line for the bathrooms which is big issue. The amenities are not there like at most stadiums where you have multiple places for beverages and food. Plenty of places to purchase your merch. The history of the 1980’s Bears is that the city of Chicago is still celebrating all those guys from the ’85 team that won the Superbowl. That’s all we’ve got as Bears fans. Getting to the lake is a pain in the ass. The stadium does not have restaurants and bars right across the street. It’s like planes, trains, and automobiles to go down there on a Sunday. The bus from the bar adds more money, but it’s worth it. Most stadiums you can go across the street to get your drink on.

Leaving the city of Chicago to open up a state of the art stadium in the burbs would be better for everyone. Many NFL teams play in the burbs in present day. Arlington Heights is easier for most Bears fans to get to the game. To actually have a spot to tailgate. To actually find a bathroom. I could get over what Packers fans have to say being the only team playing outside, because Soldier Field is a dump. Would I like a stadium with retractable roof to play games outside when it is nice out? Sure, but it’s not a deal breaker. It still has that dome feeling. But the amenities would be there. It will make game day different, but it can make it interesting at the same time. I think the only way is to go dome to help pay off the 855 million in public funding and it would give the state a huge sum of tax money. Adding the Superbowl, any of the professional sports drafts, or March Madness, would all mean the state of Illinois will get their money back in the long term. Perhaps these wind bags could balance the books on this broke state we call a home.

If the Bears move to Indiana, I still think it’s easier to get to the game than the lakefront. They would still be called Chicago if they played their home games in Indiana. The entire Northwest Indiana area are mostly Bears fans. It’s not like you are entering Indianapolis Colts territory. Most people that live in Northwest Indiana are from Chicago because they left the state with the high taxes. Both New York football teams, the Giants and Jets, play in the state of New Jersey in the stadium they share. We have seen leverage acts before with the White Sox talking about moving to Florida, but the state caved in and made them a new stadium. The Chicago Cardinals left the Windy City in 1960 after playing 40 years here. The state of Illinois would have egg on their face if the team moved to Indiana. Seeing Hoosier country rake in all that extra money would be pretty funny on these aristocrats we call the Governor and his stooges. It may sting for some Bears fans at first trying to grasp going to Indiana to watch their team. The Bears have made the post-season in year one of the Ben Johnson era. They have finally found a quarterback in Caleb Williams. We have not had one since the 1940’s with Sid Luckman, who played at Wrigley not Solider Field. It is a good time for Kevin Warren and his staff to play hardball and if Indiana is the better option because of those politicians, then go with it I say. Indiana is cheaper on gasoline. After going to the Bears game, we can fill up for cheap and head home. If the Bears continue to win, any move will be easy if the product on the field is solid each season. Calling them the Gary Bears may not come off the tongue very easily. Win some Superbowls, and I think Gary could slide easier off the tongue. GO BEARS!!!