Union Labor Wins Out in Bears Stadium Deal

The Chicago Bears’ potential new stadium in Northwest Indiana will be built with union labor, thanks to an amendment to Senate Bill 27. The bill, which would establish a stadium governing body and require a 35-year lease with the state, dropped language that prohibited project-labor agreements with trade unions.

A Win for Local Labor

State Senator Rodney Pol, a cosponsor of the bill, says he’s glad the non-union language is gone, but he’s not thrilled about the added 1% food and beverage tax for Porter County. ‘One percent doesn’t sound like much, but times are tough for working-class people,’ Pol said. Still, he thinks an NFL stadium in the area will be a boon for the local economy.

Randy Palmateer, Business Manager for the Northwestern Indiana Building and Construction Trades Council, worked with state leaders to get the union-friendly language back in the bill. ‘Project labor agreements are commonplace in our region,’ he said. ‘We’re not getting away from that for anyone.’

How It’ll Work

The bill would create a three-member authority to oversee the stadium project, with the power to issue bonds and collect taxes to pay for it. The authority would work to acquire land, finance construction, and lease the stadium to the Bears for at least 35 years. After that, the team could buy the stadium for $1 if certain conditions are met.