Indiana Governor Mike Braun optimistic Chicago Bears will move to Hammond: EXCLUSIVE

MERRILLVILLE, Ind. (WLS) -- Indiana's governor is opening up more on his hopes the Bears build their new stadium in Hammond.

Governor Mike Braun spoke exclusively with ABC7 Chicago, saying he's feeling more confident than ever that the Hoosier state will soon be home to the Chicago Bears.

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Governor Braun says he's not counting his chickens before they're hatched, but he is clearly optimistic that Hammond in Northwest Indiana could be the Bears' new home soon.

Braun was in Merrillville for Indiana Business Hall of Fame inductions, addressing the topic that's on the minds of most business people and residents of Northwest Indiana: The Bears.

"Dare I say there might be a good, better, best stadium construction in Hammond," Braun said. "Just saying."

Governor Braun says the McCaskeys have been to the governor's mansion in Indianapolis on several occasions, and he's had plenty of opportunity to sell the Hoosier state to the Bears ownership group. One selling point is Indiana's AAA credit rating.

"You'll get a lot more stadium for the amount of money you invest. And with the vitality and business atmosphere of what you can get coming into Hammond," Braun said.

Indiana state lawmakers passed legislation in late February to pave the way for the Bears to build their new stadium in Hammond near Wolf Lake. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell confirmed at NFL meetings Tuesday that the Bears are only looking at two possible stadium sites, Hammond and Arlington Heights.

READ MORE | Goodell appears to emphasize two viable sites for new Bears stadium are Arlington Heights, Hammond

While Goodell said he has spoken with Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, Braun says his communications have been with the Bears ownership, and he says he believes they appreciate the speed and efficiency of doing business in Indiana as opposed to Illinois.

"So often you get entangled where government is involved," Braun said. "Speed is not a word you associate with it."

Meanwhile, the Illinois legislative session is getting down to the wire with just over a week left. The Illinois Senate has not yet voted on the "mega-projects" bill, which the Bears say is essential to them staying in the state of Illinois.

"The Illinois legislature has been in session for a long time and really has not come up with anything that looks like it's gonna be what they're looking for," Braun said.

Governor Braun says he believes the Bears will be finished with their due diligence work on the Hammond site soon. He's expecting an announcement on where the team plans to build in the next three or four weeks..