Bears stadium future in Illinois at risk as tax fight drags on
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
The Chicago Bears own the Arlington International Racecourse property. Photo: Stacy Revere/Getty Images
The push for legislation to keep the Bears in Illinois is moving through Springfield as time runs short.
Why it matters: This may be Illinois' best — and possibly last — chance to keep the Bears, a franchise deeply tied to the state's identity and economy.
The latest: The Illinois House returns Tuesday, and lawmakers are expected to start pushing toward the goal line.
The big picture: The impasse centers on how much the Bears would pay in property taxes, with a proposed "megaprojects" bill offering a way to negotiate those payments directly with local governments.
- Arlington Heights leaders appear on board, signaling a willingness to negotiate terms for the former Arlington Racecourse site, where the team hopes to build.
- The Bears are demanding "tax certainty" as they weigh Illinois against Indiana, which has already offered major incentives to lure the team to Hammond.
Zoom in: The proposed stadium could become the largest private development in Illinois history.
Yes, but: The bill was poised to pass in February before Chicago Democrats pumped the brakes. They want to ensure the city doesn't lose revenue if the team leaves and that smaller developments could also benefit from the policy.
What they're saying: "This is the moment to make sure that there are opportunities for communities but also protect those communities from unintended consequences," Democratic state Rep. La Shawn Ford tells Axios.
- "We need to make this a great opportunity for people to have great ideas that could benefit the city, not just the Bears."
Reality check: Democrats are divided: Some want to widen access to the tax break; others want to reserve it for larger projects. Gov. J.B. Pritzker is pushing a tiered approach to decide who qualifies.
- Teachers' unions are also sounding the alarm, aiming to ensure any deal doesn't affect school funding, which largely comes from property taxes.
- City Democrats want the state to fund the Chicago Park District's $630 million plan to renovate Soldier Field to host concerts and events.
Zoom in: Democratic state Rep. Kam Buckner is advancing the new legislation that could include property tax relief for Illinois residents.
- "It'll do something that the state has not done, that other states have not done in megaprojects legislation," Buckner told the Sun-Times Tuesday. "It'll actually consider how these things should be able to help regular taxpayers as well."
The intrigue: The bill may not include infrastructure support even as the team and Arlington Heights are seeking roughly $850 million in public funding for roads, sewers and Metra upgrades.
What to watch: The NFL's stadium committee meets next week to review updates on the Arlington Heights and Hammond proposals.
What's next: Bears president Kevin Warren says the team wants a deal by early summer — aligning with the end of the spring legislative session.
The bottom line: Lawmakers are on the clock to keep the Bears in Illinois.