Bears’ Stadium Saga: 2024 Surprises Keep Arlington Heights in the Game!
The Chicago Bears’ Stadium Saga: Arlington Heights vs. Chicago – The Epic Showdown of 2024!
2024 has been a rollercoaster for the Chicago Bears as they navigate the twists and turns of their stadium saga. From setting their sights on the iconic Chicago lakefront to settling a prolonged tax feud in Arlington Heights, the Bears’ quest for a new home is nothing short of dramatic!
Buckle up as we recap the pivotal moments and key players in this thrilling journey, stretching all the way from Halas Hall in Lake Forest to the bustling halls of Springfield, with pit stops at Arlington Heights Village Hall and Chicago City Hall.
January 10: The year kicks off with Bears President/CEO Kevin Warren taking center stage at a press conference. He expresses his love for downtown and the lakefront but keeps the door wide open for other stadium locations.
January 18: In a tense meeting at Halas Hall, Warren sits down with superintendents from three local school districts to tackle the months-long property tax dispute over the Bears’ sprawling 326-acre Arlington Park property. The conversation raises eyebrows as school leaders question the team’s motives behind a potential return to the city.
Leaders from Northwest Suburban High School District 214, Palatine Township Elementary District 15, and Palatine-Schaumburg High School District 211 are in attendance to discuss tax implications related to the Bears.
Paul Valade/pvalade@dailyherald, February 2024
“Warren learned from his stadium-building days in Minneapolis that having a backup plan is crucial. He’s keeping options open for both Chicago and Arlington Heights until the most favorable outcome arises,” District 214 Superintendent Scott Rowe said, shedding light on the ongoing negotiations.
Late January: Tensions rise as lawyers for the Bears and local school districts exchange property tax offers, still $100 million apart on the valuation of the Arlington Park property.
February 22: The Cook County Board of Review announces a property value of $124.7 million for the Arlington Park site, translating to an annual tax bill of $8.9 million—still a far cry from the valuations proposed by both sides.
February 27: Arlington Heights Village Manager Randy Recklaus proposes a settlement, suggesting the Bears pay $6.3 million in 2023 and $3.6 million in 2024, with annual increases based on market conditions.
Recklaus worked tirelessly to find common ground among the Bears and local school districts regarding their tax disputes.
Daily Herald file, 2021
March 11: Just over a year after the Bears acquired the former racetrack, rumors surface that they are eyeing the south parking lot of Soldier Field for a new domed stadium, catching local officials off guard.
March 18: At a village board meeting, Recklaus declares the proposed tax settlement terms “fair and sensible,” leaving both sides hesitant to commit.
March 29: In a bold move, the Bears file an appeal with the Illinois Property Tax Appeal Board, seeking a valuation of $60 million and a tax bill of just $1.7 million.
April 24: At a high-profile event with Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson at Soldier Field, Warren unveils ambitious plans for a new lakefront stadium—a critical part of a $4.7 billion redevelopment project. The Bears promise to contribute $2.3 billion in private funds but seek public support for the remainder.
A proposed transformation of Soldier Field showcases the ambitious plans unveiled by the Bears as part of their redevelopment strategy.
Courtesy of Chicago Bears
However, state leaders aren’t rolling out the red carpet. “This isn’t a legislative priority for me,” said Gov. JB Pritzker, while House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch bluntly told Warren any vote on subsidy legislation would fail spectacularly.
Arlington Heights Mayor Tom Hayes champions the idea of a Bears stadium at Arlington Park as a solid Plan B. While Warren keeps the possibility alive, he emphasizes his commitment to the lakefront vision.
Warren and Mayor Johnson present a united front at Soldier Field, pushing forward with plans for a new stadium.
Associated Press, April 2024
May 29: The spring session of the General Assembly wraps up without a whiff of a vote on the Bears’ stadium subsidy request—no formal bill even makes it to the table.
June 11: At a Union League Club luncheon, Warren clarifies that the McCaskey family isn’t considering selling a minority stake in the Bears to secure funds for a stadium deal in Chicago. He also confirms that the Arlington Heights property isn’t on the market.
June 18: The Arlington Heights village board grants the Bears permission to maintain a digital billboard on the vacant Arlington Park property, despite previous agreements suggesting its removal.
The Bears secured approval to keep a prominent billboard along Route 53, showcasing their ongoing presence in the community.
Paul Valade/pvalade@dailyherald, June 2022
June 26: Mayor Tom Hayes, a village board member since 1991, announces he won’t seek reelection but believes the Bears will reach a stadium decision before his term ends in spring 2025, expressing optimism about Arlington Heights being their ultimate choice.
Governor Pritzker’s response to public funding requests for a new Bears stadium has been less than enthusiastic, calling critical elements of the proposal “nonstarters.”
Brian Hill/bhill@dailyherald, August 2024
July 29: Pritzker declares it would be “near impossible” for public funding legislation for a new lakefront stadium to pass this fall.
August 13 and 14: A research group hired by the Bears conducts exclusive focus groups with season ticket holders in Schaumburg and downtown Chicago, gathering insights on potential features and amenities for a new stadium.
September 5: During a dinner hosted by The Economic Club of Chicago, Warren slightly opens the door to a return to Arlington Heights, contingent upon tax issues being resolved, while still emphasizing the significance of a new stadium for Chicago.
The Bears’ tax agreement requires payments of $3.6 million annually through 2027 at the Arlington Park site.
Brian Hill/[email protected]
October 7: Bears officials, Arlington Heights representatives, and school district officials convene privately to finalize negotiations on a memorandum of understanding to resolve tax disputes and other concerns.
November 12: The Bears reignite interest in the former Michael Reese Hospital site in Chicago’s Bronzeville neighborhood, previously favored by local advocates for its lakefront location, despite earlier reservations about the property’s viability.
November 25: The Bears announce a tentative agreement with Arlington Heights and local schools regarding property taxes. This pact requires the Bears to pay $3.6 million annually from 2024 through 2027, contingent on zoning plans and building permits for the proposed $5 billion Arlington Park stadium.
This agreement also stipulates that the Bears must undertake economic and traffic studies related to their ambitious redevelopment project that could reshape the area.
The Bears have laid out a bold vision for a $5 billion mixed-use development at Arlington Park, which has the potential to transform the community.
Courtesy of Chicago Bears
This comprehensive deal not only addresses tax payments but also includes provisions to assist schools with additional operating costs that may arise from new residents.
Week of December 9: Elected boards for Arlington Heights and the school districts cast their votes to approve the agreement, with only one dissenting voice expressing concerns over potential long-term tax breaks for the Bears.
