The Chicago Bears have officially expanded their search for a new stadium beyond Arlington Heights. In a letter sent to season-ticket holders on November 1, 2023, Bears president and CEO Kevin Warren announced that the team would explore additional locations for their planned new domed stadium. This marks a significant change in the team’s strategy as they have struggled to secure the necessary financial support from local lawmakers.
In 2023, the Bears invested $197 million to acquire the 326-acre site of the former Arlington International Racetrack. The team envisioned a massive $5 billion mixed-use development that would include a 60,000-seat stadium. However, the Bears have indicated that the project is financially unfeasible without legislative approval for a discounted property tax rate in Arlington Heights. State legislators have shown little willingness to assist in this endeavor, leaving the team in a difficult position regarding their future home.
The Illinois General Assembly’s fall veto session concluded in October without any movement on the proposed legislation that the Bears require to move forward. This included a pledge to commit $25 million to the city of Chicago for public parks and playing fields if the team ultimately relocates. With rising construction costs and stalled negotiations, sources close to the Bears have suggested that the team might consider stadium sites outside of Cook County.
Interest from various municipalities has grown, with towns such as Naperville, Waukegan, Aurora, Richton Park, and Country Club Hills publicly courting the Bears. While Warren has expressed a desire to break ground by December 31, 2023, the lack of progress in Springfield may force a reconsideration of their options.
Warren’s leadership has seen several shifts in the Bears’ stadium strategy. Earlier in the year, he indicated that the team was prepared to move forward with plans in Arlington Heights if property tax concerns were alleviated. Just prior to the 2024 NFL draft, Warren proposed a $4.7 billion stadium project adjacent to Soldier Field, but this plan faced immediate challenges due to potential taxpayer liabilities and legal issues related to parkland development.
Despite challenges, Arlington Heights remains a logical option for the Bears. The team continues to pay the village for outside consultants to evaluate the proposal, estimating that around $855 million in public money would be necessary for infrastructure improvements to support a stadium at that site. The Bears have committed to investing over $2 billion into the new stadium, while presenting optimistic economic projections for the surrounding region.
In Springfield, Governor JB Pritzker and other Democratic leaders have suggested that the Bears need to find a method to repay over $500 million in taxpayer funds still owed from Soldier Field’s renovation in 2003.
As the Bears navigate their stadium search, the team has captured the attention of the NFL community. With a current record of 10-4, the Bears are set to face their rivals, the Green Bay Packers, on national television in a prime-time matchup. The outcome of this game could secure the Bears’ first playoff appearance in five years, adding further urgency to the team’s off-field decisions. Their lease at Soldier Field continues through 2033, although they maintain the option to terminate it early.
