Indiana
Chicago Bears deal could mean more toll road hikes in Indiana
Are the Chicago Bears serious about Indiana? House speaker weighs in
Will the Chicago Bears move to Indiana or are they just using us as a bargaining chip? House Speaker Todd Huston gives the latest.
More frequent toll hikes may be in Hoosier commuters’ future as part of the promised renegotiation of the Indiana Toll Road lease ― one of several carrots in the financing package Indiana lawmakers approved to lure the Chicago Bears to Hammond ― per an Indiana Finance Authority resolution that state lawmakers will review on April 16.
Under this agreement, which by law is subject to review by the State Budget Committee, the Indiana Toll Road’s private operator will be able to implement toll increases twice a year, rather than once, in exchange for lump sums totaling $700 million that may be put toward infrastructure or transportation projects in the seven northern Indiana counties near the proposed stadium site.
This was just one element of the state law the General Assembly passed nearly unanimously to incentivize the Chicago Bears to choose Indiana for the NFL team’s next home. Senate Enrolled Act 27 also creates a northwest Indiana stadium authority, a special taxing district around the theoretical stadium, and a litany of hospitality taxes the local governments would need to approve.
The Indiana Toll Road stretches 157 miles across northern Indiana from border to border. From end to end, the tolls cost just over $16 for the passenger car driver or up to $100 for the largest trucks.
Under the toll road’s current agreement, toll increases of at least 2% are assessed once a year. The amended agreement the Indiana Finance Authority approved on April 14 would change that to twice a year at a rate of at least 1.5%. In both cases, the increases could be higher if the rate of inflation is higher than those thresholds.
In exchange, the toll road operator would pay the state $300 million within a month, another $200 million within a year and another $200 million within two years. This money would be put into a special reserve fund, which can then be used to reimburse those seven northern border counties for infrastructure projects over the next three years, per Senate Enrolled Act 27.
The seven counties that stand to benefit from the infrastructure investments ― Elkhart, LaGrange, Lake, LaPorte, Porter, Steuben and St. Joseph counties ― are connected to Hammond and the approximate proposed stadium site through the South Shore Line, a commuter train to and from Chicago.
Meanwhile, the Bears are still in talks with Illinois lawmakers about a financing deal that would keep the Bears in the originally planned Arlington Heights site. Those lawmakers are in session until the end of May.
Per state law, the finance authority can’t officially enact this agreement until after the state budget committee reviews it. That will happen at 1 p.m. April 16.
Contact IndyStar Statehouse reporter Kayla Dwyer at kdwyer@indystar.com or follow her on X@kayla_dwyer17.
Indiana
Indy restaurants have a chance for Michelin recognition as inspectors scour culinary scene
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Indianapolis will be included in the inaugural American Great Lakes Michelin Guide, a move expected to elevate the city’s culinary scene.
The partnership with Michelin will bring inspectors to Indianapolis restaurants, with results of evaluations expected in approximately one year.
The French tire company says restaurants in Indianapolis and five other cities will be featured. On Thursday, Morgan Snyder, Visit Indy’s vice president of communications and community relations, joined Daybreak to discuss what this means for the city.
She says Michelin inspectors are currently evaluating restaurants in Indianapolis after determining the city was a strong contender for recognition.
The evaluation process reportedly began without the city’s prior knowledge. “So unbeknownst to us, Michelin came into the market and was scouring our culinary scene,” Snyder said. “And then they decided Indianapolis is a strong contender and could put forth some Michelin restaurants.”
Indianapolis was invited to participate alongside five other Midwestern cities in this guide expansion.
“Not every city in the Midwest was invited,” Snyder said. “So, we should be excited about that opportunity that we have a seat at the table.”
Michelin recognition includes categories such as one, two, or three stars, Bib Gourmand distinctions, and Green Stars.
Michelin established a restaurant rating system in 1900, ranking the best with from one to three stars based on anonymous inspections evaluating ingredients, techniques, flavor, chef personalities, and consistency. The company created the guide to encourage more driving — and thus wear out more tires — by providing drivers with maps, hotel information, and dining recommendations.
“We’re humble Hoosiers often, and we don’t brag about our restaurants as much as we should, but there are so many incredible restaurants in our city,” Snyder said.
Aligning with the globally recognized Michelin brand, Snyder said this could enhance the perception of Indianapolis as a culinary destination and boost tourism. Michelin recognition also historically increases revenues for recognized chefs.
“There’s data that proves the (Michelin brand) increases tourism; there’s data that proves that Michelin-recognized chefs see an increase in their revenues if they’re Michelin-recognized.” She added, “So the proof is there that aligning with a Michelin brand can really move the needle in raising the game for an entire destination.”
The inaugural restaurant selection for the Great Lakes region — Cleveland, Detroit, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, and Pittsburgh — will be revealed in 2027.
The Michelin Guide has expanded across North America over several years. Its first North American Guide was for New York in 2005.
This story was formatted for WISHTV.com using AI-assisted tools. Our editorial team reviews and
edits all content published to ensure it meets our journalistic standards for accuracy and fairness.
Indiana
Committee recommends earlier teen curfew for summer in Indianapolis
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — In a 9-to-1 vote, the Public Safety and Criminal Justice Committee of the Indianapolis City-County Council on Wednesday night recommended to move forward with a teenage curfew this summer.
Committee members say the curfew would be two hours earlier that once initiated last summer, if the full council approves it. The next council meeting will be 7 p.m. May 4.
Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department thinks teens showing disorderly or disruptive behavior may be stopped. Police Chief Tanya Terry backed the proposal, citing a troubling rise in youth violence. “We need to intervene early in a non-intrusive way and provide support to our young people.”
She said youth shooting victims were up 22% in the first three months of 2026 compared to the same time in 2025. Youth homicides were up by 4%.
“Keeping young people out of situations where they are more likely to be victims or be involved in violence is a priority and a shared responsibility that we all have. This is about safety and awareness for teens and their parents. It’s not about punishment its about partnership and prevention,” Terry said.
Under the proposal, under-15s must be home between 9 p.m. daily and 5 a.m. the next day. Teens age 15-17 must be home between 11 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and 5 a.m. the next day, and between 1 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 5 a.m. the next day. Exceptions would be made for youths with their parents, at-school events, or heading to or from work.
The city’s proposal would make the curfew start 2 hours earlier than the state’s curfew.
Teens who are stopped will be taken to a reunification center where they will be linked to community organizations.
If approved, the curfew would last 120 days.
Democratic council member Leroy Robinson, who chairs the public safety committee, said Wednesday, “Will it prevent and stop every single crime by a young person? Absolutely not. But what it will do, it will give enforcement policies to help our young people this summer, give them guardrails to support parents as well to reduce violence in our cities.”
Some councilors say more action is needed. Republican council member Josh Bain suggested Wednesday, “Showing that we take this seriously by putting the curfew fines in effect for parents and guardians of these habitual violators.”
Indiana
Indianapolis’ Victory Field adds POW/MIA honor chair
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — A new honor chair dedicated to military members who were prisoners of war or missing in action was installed Tuesday at Victory Field.
The chair was dedicated during a ceremony. It serves as a reminder that thousands of service members remain unaccounted for.
Organizers stated the empty chair stands as a reminder to both military personnel and civilians of the thousands of military members still unaccounted for.
This dedication at Victory Field follows similar installations at other prominent Indianapolis sports venues.
This story, created from a script aired on WISH-TV, was formatted for WISHTV.com using AI-assisted tools. Our editorial team reviews and edits all content published to ensure it meets our journalistic standards for accuracy and fairness.
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