Bears Stadium Decision Timeline Updated by Team President amid Illinois, Indiana Proposals

The Chicago Bears are nearing a decision on their next stadium site, with Hammond, Indiana and Arlington Heights, Illinois in the running.

"We're in an excellent position," team president and CEO Kevin Warren told reporters Wednesday at the NFL's league meetings. "I recently said that the target is to make sure that we have a decision made by springtime here soon. Late spring, early summer would be that from a target."

The Bears leaving not only Chicago, but also Illinois altogether, would likely be an unpopular move among the team's fans, though team chairman George H. McCaskey doesn't necessarily see it at that way.

"I don't think in the end it's going to matter to people," he said of a potential move across state lines. "Back in 1976, the New York Football Giants went across state lines to New Jersey. They have been there ever since. The Jets joined them shortly thereafter. And then 35 years later, both teams had an opportunity to re-evaluate their situations and re-committed to New Jersey. And somehow the Republic has survived. When the Bears moved from Wrigley Field to Soldier Field, it required an adjustment. When we went to Champaign, it required an adjustment. And whether we go to Arlington Park or to Hammond, there is going to be an adjustment period. People are going to have to be allowed some time to get used to it. I think Bears fans are up to it."

A move to Indiana remains a possibility, as the team and Illinois lawmakers have battled over property taxes and other considerations. As ESPN's Courtney Cronin noted, the organization is waiting to see whether the PILOT Act passes before May 31, which would "freeze property tax assessments on the sites of 'megaprojects' and allow developers to negotiate a payment-in-lieu-of-taxes (PILOT) with local governments."

The NFL is certainly ready for a resolution to the stadium situation.

"They have looked not only in Indiana but also in Illinois and other sites and have invested in a site (in Arlington Heights)," league commissioner Roger Goodell told reporters. "So I think they have been responsible with that. And I think it's really important that they come to a resolution on this relatively soon. It's important. I've spoken to officials in Illinois that this is an important time to get this resolved."