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In February, the
Chicago Bears announced that they would be purchasing the
Arlington International Racecourse property for $197.2 million
with the hopes of building a new multi-billion dollar stadium
and entertainment complex. However, those conversations have
stalled due to high taxes in the Arlington Heights area as the
racetrack was reassessed and valued at the $197 million mark, up
from $33 million, increasing the property's real estate taxes
substantially. Last week, the Chicago Tribune
reported that Naperville Mayor Scott Wehrli sent a letter to
Kevin Warren, the Bear's president and CEO, to discuss the
possibility of building a new stadium in Naperville rather than
in Arlington Heights and that the Bears higher-ups met with
Wehrli to discuss the move.
In his letter, Wehrli noted that Naperville has Metra that
connects for easy transportation to and from a possible stadium,
as well as multiple sites he believes would be available to
build the stadium.
State Rep. La Shawn Ford, D-Chicago, told the Center Square that
he believes Chicago is the best spot for the team but
understands that they are a business.
"Chicago is the best market for the Bears," Ford said. "What is
happening now with them, though, is that they are being business
people."
The move could drastically change how the next home of the Bears
operates and could mean greater revenue for businesses and other
services.
Ford said that is a reason to build the Bears the stadium the
team wants.
"We cannot cut our nose off to spite our face thinking that this
is just about the Chicago Bears. This is bigger than the Bears.
We have to look at the future of what this could mean for
revenue," Ford said. "The more people and the more seats that we
have for attendance is good for businesses around the stadium,
and it's good for the state too."
The Bears' lease at Soldier Field is up in 2033, but the team
can pay $84 million for an early release in 2026.
Andrew Hensel reports on issues in Chicago and
Statewide. He has been with The Center Square News since April
of 2021 and was previously with The Joliet Slammers. |
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