Bears Hear To New Pitches As Particulars Stall Arlington Heights Deal

Pissed off over property tax valuations in Arlington Heights, the Bears have renewed dialogue a few new stadium with the town of Chicago whereas opening doorways elsewhere within the suburbs.

Within the meantime, nevertheless, they’ve begun work on the 326-acre Arlington Park horse monitor website, which they bought from Churchill Downs
CHDN
Inc. Some funding particulars stay to be resolved however the crew nonetheless appears to be working towards a transfer to Arlington Heights.

Bears president Kevin Warren met with new Chicago mayor Brandon Johnson on Wednesday, and the town has not deserted curiosity in assembly the crew’s wants at Soldier Area. Afterward Johnson and Warren launched a joint assertion.

“At present we met and mentioned our shared values and dedication to the Metropolis of Chicago, the significance of deep roots and the necessity for equitable group involvement all through the town,” learn the assertion. “We’re each dedicated to the concept the town and its main civic establishments should develop and evolve collectively to satisfy the wants of the long run. We stay up for persevering with the dialogue round these shared values.”

Earlier than shedding her bid for re-election as mayor, Lori Lightfoot laid out plans to replace Soldier Area, together with a mannequin so as to add a retractable roof. Johnson has inherited the trouble to influence the crew to remain within the metropolis.

“I grew up with the ‘Tremendous Bowl Shuffle,’ “ Johnson mentioned earlier within the week. “As I’d say, as older folks would say to younger folks, once I was younger, ’85 Bears, Tremendous Bowl shuffle, y’all don’t know nothing about that. We need to ensure that we will maintain shuffling right here within the metropolis of Chicago with the Bears.”

Warren met final week with Naperville Mayor Scott Wehrli, who offered the crew with doable stadium websites. Following that assembly the Bears mentioned in a press release that their plan is “in danger” in Arlington Heights however stays the primary possibility.

“We are going to proceed the continued demolition exercise and work towards a path ahead in Arlington Heights, however it’s not our singular focus,” the crew mentioned. “It’s our duty to take heed to different municipalities in Chicagoland about potential places that may ship on this transformational alternative for our followers, our membership and the state of Illinois.”

The Chicago Tribune reported that the Bears have been pushing to have the Arlington Heights website assessed at $37 million whereas the varsity districts that obtain taxes from the positioning consider it must be valued at $95 million.

Warren and different Bears officers have scheduled a June 26 assembly with a bunch of Arlington Heights group leaders.

The Bears’ lease at Soldier Area runs by 2033 however the crew might purchase its method out of the lease as early as 2026 for $84 million.