Arlington Heights Officials Not Wowed By Bears’ Initial Stadium Plans

A few years ago, Chicago Bears fans couldn’t imagine their team playing anywhere other than the iconic Soldier Field.

Since 1971, the Bears have called Soldier Field their home and are a beloved team in Illinois sports betting.

The Bears signed a $197.2 million deal in September 2021 to acquire the now-defunct Arlington Racecourse. Recent signs point to the possibility of Chicago’s football team moving to Arlington Heights, located 30 miles northwest of their current location.

The Bears and Arlington Heights have advanced in their partnership. On Monday, Oct. 12, the team’s owners met with Arlington Heights officials to present the early designs for the new stadium.

Bears didn’t score in meeting with local officials

The Bears have proposed a multi-purpose zone near the stadium that will combine residential and commercial real estate. The team plans for this area to feature bars, restaurants, hotels, gyms, and apartments.

Arlington Heights officials found it difficult to agree to the proposal put forth by Bears ownership. Trustee Jim Tinaglia remarked on the matter.

I am dedicated to fulfilling the redevelopment agreement, however, I cannot back this site plan. I do not agree with its consequences and I fear it will have a detrimental effect on our downtown businesses.

During the meeting, another topic discussed was the accessibility of public transportation to the new stadium. The Bears’ proposal included plans to enhance the Arlington Heights Metra station in order to handle the anticipated surge in traffic on game days.

Nevertheless, the local officials were caught off guard by this development. They believe that building a second train station would be the best solution to handle the influx of people.

The Bears and officials previously disagreed on the funding source for the multi-purpose area construction. However, in September 2021, the team confirmed they would cover all costs for building the stadium.

During the Monday meeting, officials from Arlington Heights emphasized the importance of fully comprehending the positive effects of the multi-purpose area on the region before allocating any public funds for its construction. Village manager Randy Recklaus reiterated this sentiment.

This agreement does not require the village to provide or promote any public financing. However, the village must still recognize the importance of financial gain.

It wasn’t a total loss for Bears ownership

During Monday’s meeting, officials from Arlington Heights offered incentives to businesses looking to relocate to the town if the Bears choose to move there, which was a positive development for the team.

A proposal was put forth by a group to stop these incentives, but it was overwhelmingly voted down on Monday.

The Bears’ impressive win cleared the path for their vision to open a dynamic space with retail stores, restaurants, and bars. The continued presence of these attractions will make moving to this area an attractive opportunity for businesses.

Included perks are:

• Tax incentives
• Tax abatements
• Fee reductions