Live Updates: Chicago Bears Bear Down On Arlington Park Bid

In June, the Chicago Bears announced that they submitted a bid to buy Arlington International Racecourse. Churchill Downs put the track up for sale in February.

Most probably, the goal would be for the Bears to relocate from Soldier Field to Arlington Heights. They would be able to construct a sports mega stadium and entertainment district on the 326-acre property.

As expected, the potential move is polarizing among the fan base. It even inspired Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot to take a jab at the team.

The land may later be sold by Churchill Downs, but many potential buyers are serious. Will they accept the Bears & rsquo proposal?

As this history progresses, Play Illinois will have the most recent information and comments.

most recent information regarding the potential Arlington Bears

September 29 was the most recent update.

It’s looking like the Chicago Bears could move to ArlingtonHeights, as the sports team signed a purchasing agreement for ArlingtonInternationalRacecourse, according to a report from TheAthletic on Tuesday night.

Soldier Field and Chicago Park District fight over activities gambling

The Chicago Bears wanted to have sports betting at Soldier Field, but the Chicago Park District did not comply with the NFL team.

Churchill Downs submits an application for & rsquo’s 22 racing dates.

Churchill Downs has applied for 2022 racing dates at Arlington Park, a somewhat surprising move considering the track is up for sale.

Tribes won’t actually take place at Arlington in 2022, but there is still a chance that things will change slowly for the new customer.

Important new details about non-Bears buyer

A buyer who is interested in buying Arlington Park is today better known to us.

Below, you’ll see an update regarding Glenstar Properties, which has submitted an offer to buy the land. The Daily Herald reports that Glenstar has a relationship with Neil Bluhm, a key Churchill Downs partner, dating back to 2005.

In the 1980s, Bluhm was also barred from purchasing a roughly 20 % interest in the Bears. We & rsquo, we’ll check to see if that has any implications for this.

For Arlington, the Bears face rivals.

Crain’s Chicago Businessreports that two prominent local development groups, Glenstar Properties and UrbanStreet Group, have also submitted offers to buy the track.

Although it is unknown what either may have planned for the site, given their history of development, it appears that race would be a possibility.

According to recent reports, it would be simple for Bears to terminate their rent on Soldier Field.

The Chicago Tribune reviewed the Bears’ Soldier Field lease, and it would cost about $84 million to do so. While $84 million is a hefty price tag, that’s only a fraction of what the most recent new stadiums have cost to build ($2.2 billion).

Illinois Governor According to JB Pritzker, the express won’t pay for a new Bears facility.

When asked during a press conference on June 28 whether the state of Illinois would provide funding for a new Bears stadium (in Chicago or elsewhere), Gov. JB Pritzkersaid:

“That’s Not something we & rsquo that we are currently examining. There are undoubtedly personal business decisions that are being made, in my opinion. & rdquo,

Having said that, Pritzker expressed support for the Bears staying in Chicago, though his remarks weren’t almost as audacious as those of Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot, s:

Since the sellers of that property are privately concerned about what will happen to it, & ldquo, I & rsquo have enjoyed watching the Bears at Soldier Field for many years. However, for me personally, I have enjoyed going to Soldier Field to watch the Bears throughout my adult life, and I hope that I & rsquo will be able to do so in the future. & rdquo,

The community committee of Arlington Heights votes to approve the Bears stadium’s appropriate zoning.

The Arlington Heights Village is expected to support the Bears’ decision to relocate to the cities.

On June 21, the board approved an overlay zoning draft that served as a final hurdle regulatory hurdle for building a stadium in Arlington Heights. Of course, property owner Churchill Downs would still need to choose the Bears’ offer.

Bears appoint BetRivers as their standard sportsbook.

The Chicago Bears announce an exclusive deal with Rivers Casino and the BetRivers sports betting app on June 22. At first glance, this appeared unrelated to the Arlington Heights situation. But after looking more closely, there may be a tie.

Part of the reason Churchill Downs wants to sell the racetrack is because it owns a majority stake in Rivers Casino in Des Plaines. Rivers Casino and Arlington International are only about a 20-minute drive apart.

Churchill and Rivers are therefore now doing business together. Rivers is now the Bears’ designated game and sportsbook partner.

This transaction undoubtedly adds fuel to the fire.

 

Read the latest Chicago betting news and Bears odds at Play Illinois.

 

History of the Bears’ relocation to Arlington International

The Bears are now playing at Soldier Field on Chicago’s lake. Although some think they may terminate the contract if necessary, their contract expires in 2033.

The Bears had probably become eligible to compete in major league games like the Super Bowl, Final Four, World Cup, etc. if they relocated to Arlington Heights.

If the Bears relocated to Arlington Heights, they may likely also have a retractable roof, which they currently lack.

A Metra coach stops straight at Arlington Heights, which is about a 50-minute drive from the city. Some people believe moving out to the neighbourhoods won’t be much of an inconvenience given that Soldier Field is usually a traffic problem.

Chicago has played at Soldier Field since 1971. It would mark a huge shift for football in Chicagoland if the Bears were to move to Arlington Heights.