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“The biggest item that remains, that has
remained, is the fact that this mega project build that was on
the docket in the spring but was not put forth for a vote, but
it is very, very important that it passes,” Warren said.
“Because without that legislation, we are not able to proceed
forward.
“We stand ready. The stadium is designed.”
Warren said team officials have been meeting with Arlington
Heights village Mayor Jim Tinaglia on the project, which is
their only target site. Over three years they fluctuated from
Arlington Heights to Chicago and now back to Arlington Heights.
The bill the Bears want to see passed would freeze property
taxes for large-scale construction projects like the stadium.
Warren maintains the bill could create 56,000 jobs during
construction and 9,000 permanent jobs.
“So, if that bill passes in October there are items we have to
work on and obviously there is a process you have to follow with
the village of Arlington Heights from an approval process,”
Warren said. “But obviously they are committed.
“The goal would still be to be in a position to move dirt this
year. There’s still work, some initial work that needs to be
done to get the site ready, but to hopefully break ground next
year formally but to actually move dirt this year.”
Warren has said it would take three years for the stadium to be
built once ground is broken.
The Bears are devoting about $2.7 billion to the project on
their own property at the old Arlington International
Racecourse.
Bears owner George McCaskey said he hasn’t become frustrated
with the political process of getting the stadium built.
“These things take time,” McCaskey said. “It’s on us to convince
the governor and the state legislators that this is a good idea
for the people of Illinois and we need to do a better job at
that.“
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