The Chicago Bears called a hearing on their plans to build a new stadium in suburban Arlington Heights, Ill., opting instead to invest more than $2 billion in a domed public property just south of Soldier Field, their existing home. group in the city center. Chicago.
Until the surprise March 11 announcement, the team appeared to be headed toward developing a new stadium at the 326-acre Arlington International Racecourse, which it purchased for $197 million in early 2023, and began demolishing existing structures.
A subsequent sixfold increase in the property's value by the Cook County assessor's office sparked a dispute between the group and local school districts, which are funded by property tax revenue. The Bears reportedly insisted on getting property tax “certainty” before moving forward with any development plans.
Although negotiations with Arlington Heights officials over the simmering property tax issue continued throughout the year, the group held discussions with several other area municipalities about potential stadium development opportunities. One option reportedly off the table was staying at Soldier Field, one of the National Football League's oldest and smallest stadiums, with a game-day capacity of 61,500 after a 2003 renovation.
The March 11 announcement suggests the Bears found their best opportunity literally next door.
In a statement, Bears president and CEO Kevin Warren said the future stadium “will bring a transformative opportunity to our region — boosting the economy, creating jobs, facilitating major events and generating millions in tax revenue. We look forward to sharing more information when our plans are finalized.”
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson said in a statement that he supports the new proposal.
“I've said all along that substantial private investment and a strong emphasis on public benefit are my requirements for public-private partnerships in our city,” he said. “The Chicago Bears' plans are a welcome step in that direction and a testament to Chicago's economic vitality.”
Johnson said he looks forward to conversations with the Bears, state leadership and community stakeholders about the potential of a domed stadium in the city.
The Bears and the city have yet to reveal details about the stadium, its development timeline and overall financing strategy. Until the new stadium is completed, the team will likely remain at Soldier Field where its $6 million-a-year lease expires in 2033. Published news suggests that most of Soldier Field will then be demolished, with its distinctive colonnades serving as a backdrop to a new public park with sports fields and other amenities.
Despite those promises, Friends of the Park, a local conservation group dedicated to protecting Chicago's lakefront and other city-owned land along Lake Michigan, criticized the Bears' attempt to rush the downtown stadium plan into action. city when asking about the amount and conditions of public investment remain unanswered.
The group, which also successfully blocked filmmaker George Lucas from building a lakeside museum, noted in a statement that the Bears' plan not only omits the possibility of other favorable development sites both inside and outside Chicago's city limits , but also his long-standing desire to develop an entertainment area in conjunction with the stadium.
“What new entertainment district do they envision for the lakefront,” the statement asked.
The Bears' announcement did not say what might happen to the Arlington Heights property if the lakeside stadium plan moves forward. Local officials insist that while a new stadium was never considered a “done deal,” they will continue to work with the team to resolve differences with school districts. Alternative development strategies have not been ruled out.
“The property remains a significant asset to the community and the region and has tremendous potential,” said Arlington Heights Mayor Tom Hayes.
A rendering of the proposed domed stadium has not yet been released nor has a design team been hired.
