The Chicago Bears, for instance, are currently in talks on moving to a new stadium in Arlington Heights. They are even threatening to relocate their operations out of the city of Chicago. The team received devastating news in their efforts to construct at the Arlington Park location in Arlington Heights, Illinois. Unfortunately, their progress is now under threat because of a standstill with the state concerning property taxes.
Kevin Warren, the Bears’ president and CEO, announced that the team would look at other options, potentially even outside Cook County. The Bears already have an Arlington Heights home — they purchased a 326-acre property in the suburb. With their plans killed for now, the squad is turning its attention to constructing a domed stadium on the lakefront south of Soldier Field. Warren’s most important point was not to close ourselves off to all credible possibilities.
The impetus for a new downtown stadium grew more intense. This came after a standoff with the state of Illinois regarding $100 million in property tax revenue. So far, the Bears have not sought state taxpayer funds for their Arlington Park project. They have asked for commitments on more important local infrastructure investments, like roads, utility improvements and thorough site work.
“We have not asked for state taxpayer dollars to build the stadium at Arlington Park,” – Kevin Warren
Even after all of their negotiations, the Bears got a firm response from Governor JB Pritzker, who did not want to see the Bears leave Illinois. His communications director, Matt Hill, echoed the Governor’s statement urging the team to stay in Chicago. Looking ahead, the team is continuing to engage with state officials. Their conversation underscores the urgent need to preserve one of the NFL’s flagship franchises.
The Bears are prepared to spend upwards of $2 billion in private money. This investment will be used to help construct a new stadium in Atlanta and to improve the surrounding neighborhoods. Warren made it clear that breaking ground on the new facility is Job #1. His ultimate goal is to put it under construction before the end of 2025.
Warren has been a strong advocate for creating a world-class venue for fans and players, to say the least. He said the group needs to be able to pursue every credible pathway so that no matter what, their long-term vision will be able to come to fruition.
“Our fans deserve a world-class stadium. Our players and coaches deserve a venue that matches the championship standard they strive for every day. With that in mind, our organization must keep every credible pathway open to deliver that future.” – Kevin Warren
The Bears’ exploration of new stadium sites marks a significant chapter in their history as they weigh options that could lead them outside their traditional home base. While discussions continue, the team remains committed to finding a solution that aligns with its ambitious vision for a modern facility.
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