The saga over where the Chicago Bears will build a new stadium has hit a crescendo this week, with both Illinois and Indiana lawmakers confident they will secure a deal.

Why it matters: A new state-of-the-art stadium could reap economic benefits for either state and have an effect on how fans experience games.

• Also, civic pride.

The latest: Indiana House Speaker Todd Huston (R-Fishers), who is sponsoring a bill that would allow for the financing of a new stadium project, was in The Region last week to meet with local leaders and told Axios he left feeling optimistic.

• Indiana Senate President Pro Tempore Rodric Bray (R-Martinsville) said the ongoing conversations are progressing well.

Friction point: Hoosier lawmakers have two weeks left to hammer out a deal.

• Indiana's legislative session is over at the end of the month.

What we're watching: Indiana's House Ways and Means Committee needs to pass Senate Bill 27 by Thursday to keep the project moving forward.

• "Hopefully we'll have some action next week," Huston said.

Yes, but: Illinois isn't waving the white flag just because Indiana is making moves.

What's happening: Northwest Chicago suburban leaders are sounding the alarm, hoping to motivate Illinois lawmakers to reach a deal to keep the team in the Land of Lincoln before ongoing talks with motivated Hoosier leaders go any further.

• Lawmakers have hinted they are making progress on the state fronting infrastructure costs and may introduce a mega-development bill that would give the Bears the ability to negotiate property taxes on a site in suburban Arlington Heights.
• The Bears bought that property in 2023 for the purpose of building a stadium and a surrounding entertainment district.

What they're saying: "I am confident that Springfield is wide awake right now," Arlington Heights Mayor Jim Tinaglia said at a rally Wednesday night.

Keep reading

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's plan to occupy space in Carmel is sparking concerns and creating division in HamCo.

Why it matters: The agency is looking to rapidly expand administrative space and detention capacity nationwide as the Trump administration ramps up immigration enforcement.

Driving the news: A Wired magazine story that lists planned locations for new and expanded ICE offices includes Carmel's Penn on Parkway business park as the sole Indiana location.

• Wired says in many cases, the facilities would be used by street-level agents and ICE attorneys.

Friction point: The news immediately became a tense topic in the community.

• Opponents want to see officials shut it down, while supporters say the office will not impact the daily lives of residents.
• "This is an agency moving into empty office space," resident Trevor Lewis told Axios. "It's misguided to see this as some kind of hostile takeover."

The other side: Resident Sabrina Gregory argues that letting immigration agents set up shop without resistance sends a message that all Carmel residents are pro-ICE.

• She adds that the community is already dealing with a damaged reputation after the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office became the first Indiana law enforcement agency to enter a 287(g) agreement with ICE early last year.
• "This is more than just an office because under Trump, ICE has become a dangerous agency following dangerous orders," she said.

What's next

Winter storms have disrupted USPS mail delivery in Indianapolis and several other cities, causing days-long delays — and in some neighborhoods, weeklong gaps — even after roads have cleared.

Why it matters: The disruptions have left residents waiting on medications, tax documents and checks — highlighting the challenges of restoring full service after major storms.

State of play: The Postal Service has warned that severe winter weather and storm cleanup are impacting operations across large portions of the U.S., citing blocked or unsafe transportation routes.

• USPS spokesperson Cathy Purcell said snowplows can bury mailboxes and prolonged ice can make them inaccessible, preventing carriers from delivering letter mail even when roads appear clear.

Zoom in: Indianapolis residents have reported multi-day gaps in delivery.

• Some said USPS's "Informed Delivery" previews showed mail pieces that never arrived.

The intrigue: In several cities, packages from Amazon, UPS, FedEx and even USPS continue to arrive — while standard mail lags.

• Carriers may be able to leave packages at a doorstep, Purcell said, but cannot leave letter mail unsecured if a mailbox is blocked.

💭 Lindsey's thought bubble: My mailbox is not blocked (sidewalk is shoveled up to my front porch where the mailbox is), but mail delivery has been frustratingly unpredictable since the snowstorm. My "Informed Delivery" has shown mail pieces almost every day, but mail has only shown up a handful of times.

Go deeper

🚨 New IMPD chief Tanya Terry has addressed a viral video of an IMPD officer threatening to kill a 17-year-old driver during a traffic stop, saying "the words used in that incident were unacceptable" and confirming that an internal administrative investigation is underway. (WTHR)

🤖 The Metropolitan Development Commission hearing examiner has granted Metrobloks initial approval to build a data center in Martindale-Brightwood. The commission will hear the petition on March 4. (IBJ)

💰 The Indianapolis Neighborhood Housing Partnership will grant nearly $1 million to 11 organizations to develop or preserve 743 affordable housing units in Marion County. (Mirror Indy)

💩 Speedway officials have fined the owner of the Legend at Speedway Apartment Complex after the Marion County Public Health Department discovered raw sewage illegally diverted to the apartment parking lot. (FOX59)

Kick off your 500 Festival Mini-Marathon training this weekend with a brisk 3-mile run.

Driving the news: The 500 Festival Miler Series starts Saturday to give local runners of all skill levels the chance to reconnect and warm up as winter wanes.

• The series' 3-Miler starts and ends at Fowling Warehouse Indianapolis.
• Fowling will be the place to check gear, visit sponsor booths and participate in post-race celebrations.
• Future series events include the 6-Miler on March 7 and the 10-Miler on April 11.

Yes, but: If you can't make it, there's a virtual option.

If you go: Doors open at 7:30am, and the race starts at 9am.

• Registration starts at $30.
• The registration deadline is noon today.

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