CHICAGO (WGN) — Ahead of the Chicago Bears’ 106th season, team president and CEO Kevin Warren announced the decision on the location for the Bears’ new stadium through an open letter to fans.
“When considering options for a new stadium, the McCaskey family’s objective has been clear: construct a top-tier stadium without utilizing any state funds from Illinois for its construction,” Warren stated. “We are collaborating with political figures, labor organizations, businesses, and community leaders throughout Illinois to form a strategy ensuring property tax stability and equitable support for crucial infrastructure that will benefit everyone in the community.”
“Arlington Heights stands as the sole location in Cook County that meets these criteria. It provides us the opportunity to better engage with our fan base and deliver a game day experience that is both transformative and elevated.”
Warren’s announcement underscores the direction the franchise intends to take in the pursuit of a new stadium, marking a significant chapter in an ongoing story. While his statement implies that Arlington Heights is the likely destination, the Bears still face legislative and financial challenges before the decision is finalized.
Sports marketing consultant Marc Ganis informed WGN-TV’s Pat Elwood that proceeding with a new stadium in Arlington Heights depends on two key factors: the surrounding infrastructure in the northwest sububan village and the State of Illinois providing a tax incentive for the Bears on the property.
Ganis emphasized that the main obstacle is “ensuring that the Bears will finance the entire stadium construction without seeking financial help from the public sector.”
The franchise will then need to provide clarity on how infrastructure associated with the stadium on the raceway property will be paid for, and what kind of property tax cap maximums will be associated with the stadium itself.
As for when stakeholders can expect more clarity on the Bears’ stadium pursuits in Arlington Heights, a bill on the property tax matter is set to be voted on during the state’s upcoming legislative session in October.
Bears Chairman George McCaskey said any further delays “would be a greater expense, and it also means we are missing out on another round of assignment of major events.”
Stay with WGN-TV, as this is a developing story that will be updated as more information is gathered and becomes available.
