(This story has been updated to add additional information.)
The Chicago Bears football team’s new home might soon be in northwest Indiana.
A deal to potentially move the Bears from Soldier Field to a new stadium that would be constructed in Lake County is being hammered out, state lawmakers announced during a Feb. 19 meeting.
“It represents a transformational investment for northwest Indiana and our state,” House Speaker Todd Huston told the House ways and means committee, sharing that the Chicago Bears are willing to invest $2 billion in a stadium site in the region.
Lawmakers said the stadium would be constructed in Hammond. In brief, here’s what to know about the city.
Where is Hammond, Indiana?
Hammond, Indiana is in Lake County, located near Lake Michigan. The city of Hammond sits roughly 30 miles southeast of Chicago and about 7 miles west of Gary.
How many people live in Hammond?
Hammond has a population of roughly 76,000 people, according to the U.S. census. Its mayor, Thomas McDermott Jr., has stated its it’s the most populated city in Lake County.
What’s Hammond, Indiana known for?
Remember the 1983 holiday classic movie, “A Christmas Story,” about Ralphie and his quest to own a ‘Red Ryder’ BB gun? The setting is loosely based in Hammond, but that’s not all the city is renowned for.
The city has a rich industrial past and presently caters to art, entertainment and outdoor enthusiasts. Wolf Lake, according to the city, is a popular haven for boating, kayaking, fishing and windsurfing.
Hammond additionally features a casino, concert venues, along with theaters and art galleries.
Wolf Lake a ‘promising site’ for new Chicago Bears stadium in Hammond, Indiana, says Braun
While nothing is official yet, Indiana Gov. Mike Braun said on social media Thursday that officials had located “a promising site near Wolf Lake,” adding that a finalized deal would lead to the construction of a world-class stadium.
Wolf Lake is situated on the northwest side of Hammond, butting up beside the Indiana-Illinois state line.
The roughly 410-acre body of water is a magnet for outdoor recreation, according to the City. Its park amenities include an aquatic play center, greenhouse, pavilion and entertainment stage.
John Tufts covers trending news for IndyStar and Midwest Connect. Send him a news tip at JTufts@Gannett.com. Find him on BlueSky at JohnWritesStuff.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Where is Hammond, Indiana? About Chicago Bears’ potential new home
Reporting by John Tufts, Indianapolis Star / Indianapolis Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
