Village Says Bears' Interest In Arlington Park 'Has Not Changed'

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL — Despite Monday's news that the Chicago Bears have shifted focus from building a new stadium at Arlington Park to remaining in Chicago and constructing one there, Arlington Heights officials insist the local project isn't dead.

"The Village of Arlington Heights is aware of media reports regarding a proposed Chicago Bears stadium concept in Chicago. Village officials spoke with the Chicago Bears Football Club today, and while they are evaluating all of their options, they confirmed that their continued interest in Arlington Park has not changed," the Village said in a statement released Monday night.

Kevin Warren, team president and CEO, said the Bears are willing to contribute more than $2 billion to a publicly owned domed stadium and park space in Chicago. The new stadium, which would feature year-round community amenities, is planned for immediately south of the current site of Solider Field while also maintaining parking in the south lot.

"The possibility that the Chicago Bears could find a different location has remained an option since day one, and this project has never been considered a 'done deal' in Arlington Heights," the Village said in the statement. "The ultimate outcome of their current discussions with the City of Chicago is unknown."

In February 2023, the Bears closed on a $197.2 million property agreement to buy the former Arlington Park racetrack and have since demolished a large portion of the site.

The Cook County Board of Review ruled last month that the Arlington property is worth $125 million, which is $30 million more than the team's original assessment of the property ($95 million) and $65 million over what the Bears recently said Arlington is worth ($60 million).

At a tax hearing in front of the board in January, the football team and three Arlington Heights area school districts located nearby were $100 million apart in their assessments of the property's value. The three school districts — Community Consolidated School District 15 (based in Palatine), High School District 211 (based in Palatine), and High School District 214 (based in Arlington Heights) — valued the property at $160 million, the same appraisal they had in December.

"The Village has always acted in good faith and partnership with the Chicago Bears and the school districts throughout this discussion, while protecting our community's interests, and we will continue to do so as the process moves ahead," reads the statement.

Soldier Field, which opened in 1924, is the NFL's oldest stadium. The Bears began playing there in 1971 after leaving Wrigley Field. It has a football game capacity of 61,500 fans, which is the smallest in the NFL. The Bears' lease at Solider Field expires in 2033.

"The future stadium of the Chicago Bears will bring a transformative opportunity to our region — boosting the economy, creating jobs, facilitating mega events and generating millions in tax revenue," Warren said in a response to an ESPN story about the change of commitment. "We look forward to sharing more information when our plans are finalized."

Arlington Heights officials said they remain committed to any development at Arlington Park, which will "provide broad benefits to our community and will create a new regional destination befitting the great legacy of the property." They added that they will not approve any plan that does not meet these expectations.

"What the Village knows is that the Arlington Park property provides the Chicago Bears with the unique potential to own and build a multi-use development on 326 acres, in a key location that is easily accessible by public transportation, and is centrally located for visitors and season ticket holders," the Village continued in its statement.

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