Site map provided by the Bears in 2023 shows visions for a proposed redevelopment of the Arlington Park site with a stadium and other amenities.
Both Arlington Heights officials and the Chicago Bears remain on board with visions of a 326-acre stadium development on the former Arlington Park racecourse site, but without firm commitments from the state, the team says it’s looking elsewhere. Specifically, northwest Indiana.
“Earlier this season, we shared that Arlington Heights is the only location in Cook County that meets the requirements for a world-class NFL stadium. We still believe it offers the best and only path forward in Cook County given there are no other viable alternatives,” team President & CEO Kevin Warren said in an open letter to fans Wednesday (Dec. 17).
While Warren says the team is ready to invest $2 billion in an Arlington development, wants “property tax certainty,” and has not asked for state taxpayer dollars to build a stadium (“only for a commitment to essential local infrastructure…which is more than typical for projects of this size”), the Bears efforts “have been met with no legislative partnership.”
The property tax issue is tied to a proposed “megaproject bill” in the state legislature that would allow the team to negotiate its own property tax assessments with local units of government such as schools and parks.
“We have been told directly by state leadership, our project will not be a priority in 2026, despite the benefits it will bring to Illinois,” said Warren, who’s estimated the Bears in Arlington Heights would create thousands of new jobs, both in construction and permanently.
“Both the village and the Chicago Bears remain confident that their Arlington Park property in Arlington Heights is the best option for their new stadium and entertainment district,” the village said in a statement in response to Warren’s this week. “The village has been outspoken that a megaproject bill is necessary to make a development project of this scale possible. A bill of this type would serve as a key economic development tool to attract large-scale investment not only in Arlington Heights, but in communities throughout the state.”
Arlington Heights Mayor Jim Tinaglia added: “We encourage our Illinois state legislators to move forward with the megaproject bill. This legislation will help to keep the Chicago Bears in Illinois, within the limits of Cook County, and ultimately — in Arlington Heights.”
Thursday, State Rep. Mary Beth Canty (D-54th), whose district includes the Arlington Park site, released the following statement:
“As the representative of the proposed Arlington Heights stadium site, my top priority has always been to ensure local voices have a seat at the table as this process unfolds. This latest news does not change that goal or my approach — we would welcome the opportunity to partner with the Bears to build a true community asset in Arlington Heights.
“As a state legislator, I must also safeguard taxpayer dollars, especially in a climate of scarce resources and federal uncertainty. To that end, I have introduced HB2789, common sense, balanced legislation to incentivize mega projects like the redevelopment of Arlington Park and other projects across the state that also gives true representation to local residents and ensures a strong return on investment for taxpayers.
“I encourage the Bears to engage with the General Assembly in good faith, without threats, so we can find a path forward to keep the Bears at home in Illinois.”
A synopsis of HB2789 says the bill, which was re-referred to the state rules committee last March, would amend the state property tax code to freeze property tax assessment levels for projects certified as “megaprojects”.
“This is not about leverage. We spent years trying to build a new home in Cook County. We invested significant time and resources evaluating multiple sites and rationally decided on Arlington Heights. Our fans deserve a world-class stadium,” Warren said in his letter.
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