Why the Bears' dream stadium may be doomed without a tax break
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Kevin Warren, president and CEO of the Chicago Bears, at Soldier Field in 2024. Photo: Michael Reaves/Getty Images
The Chicago Bears continue to be "focused" on building a stadium in Arlington Heights, but it's unclear if the state is focused on helping make that happen.
The big picture: Team president Kevin Warren once again used parsed language when speaking to a gaggle of reporters recently, giving wiggle room for negotiation.
- "We strongly believe that is the only location in Cook County that will allow us to build a stadium, a new Chicago Bears stadium with a fixed roof," Warren said.
- That statement is similar to Warren's past statements.
Why it matters: The Bears brass have used words like "priority" and "focus" when discussing the stadium plan for Arlington Heights, but team leaders used the same language when discussing proposals for a stadium near Soldier Field.
- Instead of announcing definitive future plans, the team uses opaque language because all of their proposed deals depend on swaying one influential politician: Gov. JB Pritzker.
Zoom in: While the doomed Chicago stadium needed taxpayer funding, the Arlington Heights deal needs a special tax deal. The Bears are asking the state to pass a law that would let them negotiate their property taxes with the village of Arlington Heights instead of abiding by the county's assessment of the property.
- The Arlington Park Race Course, even without the bulldozed grandstand, is considered a plum spot for new development.
- The Bears are set on not only building a stadium, but investing in a district that could include hotels, restaurants and entertainment venues.
The other side: Warren says the new bill would benefit the Bears, but he suggests the legislation would be a broader jobs bill because of all the work the new stadium district would create.
Flashback: The Bears asked Springfield to carve out this sweetheart deal in the spring session, but nothing happened.
What's next: Warren is hoping Pritzker has had a change of heart and will prioritize this bill in the veto session planned for late October.
- If it doesn't happen, the Bears will have to decide if they want to move forward with a heavier tax burden or go back to the drawing board to find another location, possibly outside of Cook County.
- The team has said they want to start construction this summer, but now hope to break ground next year.
The bottom line: There is no stadium deal, even if the Bears are focused on making it happen.