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The team purchased a 326-acre site in Arlington Heights two years ago and cleared the area, making it a possible home to a new stadium and business ventures in the surrounding area.
“We are still extremely focused on Arlington Heights and building our stadium there. That’s the plan. We strongly believe that is the only location in Cook County that will allow us to build a stadium, the new Chicago Bears stadium, with a fixed roof. We’re making great progress. We are now in the process of having weekly meetings with the leaders at the Village of Arlington Heights. We’re ready now. Everything is in order, and so if that bill passes in October, the goal would still be in the position to move dirt this year,” Warren said.
The project is pending the passage of a specific bill that would allow the team to essentially freeze their property tax bill and negotiate future bills with the local government.
Arlington Heights Mayor Jim Tinaglia said he was not aware of Friday’s announcement made by Warren, but said his office feels the same way about moving forward.
“I was listening on the radio at my office when it was going on and I agree with you, and I am glad to hear that because, internally, in our office here when we meet with them, that’s how we feel about it,” Tinaglia said.
However, the mayor added breaking ground anytime soon requires tackling more than just Springfield.
“We’re all working at the same speed to get there because to do any project in Arlington Heights, there’s a long process that has to take place because our residents have a lot to say; our businesses have a lot to say…but I do know they are making good progress and I do know they are committed as we are, too,” Tinaglia said.
Bears Chairman George McCaskey is eager to get the project moving, saying delays could end up costing them a lot more money.
“This project can be, as Kevin said, transformative. The concern is that delay means greater expense, and it also means that we’re missing out on another round of assignment of major events. We need to get in the mix,” McCaskey said.
State lawmakers report back to Springfield in October. One top House Democrat already said the new stadium is not at the top of their priority list and taxpayers are still paying for the team’s last stadium deal.
Both Warren and McCaskey confirmed the stadium design plans are nearly complete.
McCaskey also added his nephew Edward will fill the late Virginia McCaskey’s seat on the Bears Board of Directors.
Chicago’s lakefront has been home to the Bears since 1971. They moved to the stadium after playing at Wrigley Field for their first 51 seasons.
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