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WILL THE
CHICAGO BEARS STAY IN THE CITY? LIGHTFOOT HOPES SO, BUT SAYS TAXPAYER
DOLLARS WON’T BE PART OF THE DEAL
Illinois Policy Institute/
Robert Brutvan
Though their city contract runs through
2033, many expect the team will move to the suburbs after the purchase
of Arlington Park in the northwest suburbs.
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 The Chicago Bears took the next step in moving on from their ancestral home at
Soldier Field, signing an agreement to purchase the Arlington International
Racecourse property in northwest suburban Arlington Heights. The $197.2 million
deal is expected to close in 2022 or early 2023.
In the meantime, Mayor Lori Lightfoot hopes to work with the Bears to find a
solution that keeps the team in the NFL’s oldest stadium – but she said she
doesn’t want to use taxpayer dollars as a bargaining chip.
“You know the economics of municipally financed stadiums, as do I, as do the
Bears,” said Lightfoot. “You’re talking about a $4 or $5 billion venture. And if
you look into the future, that price tag is only going to go up,” Lightfoot told
670 The Score.
“In a time where we’re going through a recovery from an epic economic meltdown
as a result of COVID-19, we’ve got to be smart about how we spend taxpayer’s
dollars.”
This isn’t the first time the Bears have floated the idea of leaving Chicago for
the suburbs. In 1975, Mayor Richard J. Daley kept the Bears in Chicago by
threatening to prevent the team from keeping “Chicago” in its name.
Lightfoot expressed frustration with the Bears for canceling a negotiation
session. “We can’t operate in the dark,” said Lightfoot. “I don’t have a magic
eight ball to divine what the Bears want.”
The Bears currently have a contract to play in Soldier Field through 2033. By
breaking their contract, the Bears would owe $86.9 million to the Chicago Park
District, which owns the stadium.
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Gov. J.B. Pritzker also said taxpayer subsidies are
not on the table at this point.
“This is a private enterprise, engaging in city
governments to decide what’s best for them,” Pritzker said. “I think
that the Bears and the city of Chicago need to work out their
differences in order for us to end up with the Bears staying in the
city.”
When the Bears signed their most recent lease, the stadium
immediately underwent $660 million in renovations. These renovations
were financed using bonds issued by the Illinois Sports Facilities
Authority, and are not expected to be fully paid off until 2032.
If the Bears leave the city, taxpayers may find themselves on the
hook for the Bears’ old debt at Soldier Field. Last year, the debt
service payment was $46.5 million. By 2032, when the Bears existing
contract expires, that annual payment on deferred debt will have
ballooned to $86.9 million.
When asked if the Bears could still use “Chicago” in their name if
they leave for Arlington Heights, Lightfoot noted that 11 NFL teams
currently play outside their namesake cities.
 Lightfoot expressed hope for the future prospects of a Bear-less
Soldier Field. “If the Bears decide their future is in Arlington
Heights – and I hope that’s not the case – we’re not gonna lack for
suitors,” describing Soldier Field as “rocking” during the
exhibition match between Notre Dame and Wisconsin on Sept. 25. |
