The future of the Chicago Bears is leaning heavily towards a move to Arlington Heights, with the team's president, Kevin Warren, making a firm announcement. During a brief news conference on Friday, Warren said "the plan is to proceed forward this year" with their intention to build a new stadium on a 326-acre site they purchased in the suburb, as reported by WGN-TV. Warren noted that they have been in weekly talks with local leaders to advance these plans.
Accompanied by Bears Chairman George McCaskey, the duo revealed that only Arlington Heights in Cook County meets the requirements for their design plan, which includes a stadium with a fixed roof. "We strongly believe that is the only location in Cook County that will allow us to build a stadium, the new Chicago Bears stadium, with a fixed roof," Warren explained, an update recorded by WGN-TV. Despite the urgency to begin the construction, the project's commencement is pending the passage of a bill that would allow the Bears to strike a deal to freeze their property tax bill and lay groundwork for future taxes in agreement with the local government.
Not just looking to break ground, the Bears aim to start shifting dirt this year, expressing the intent to play in the new stadium following its completion. However, this aggressive timeline is dependent on a tax relief bill the state legislature is slated to consider this fall. "The goal would be to be in position to move dirt this year... Break ground next year officially, but move dirt this year, and be ready to play in our new stadium," Warren told ABC7 Chicago.
Much to some fans’ dismay, AJ Horn, a Bears fan, expressed a deep sense of loss at the prospect of the team abandoning their historic Chicago lakefront home. "History... when you drive past here you smell the bears you can hear the roar, and it's not even a game," Horn told ABC7 Chicago. "No. I don't want them to move. I really don't." Despite potential sentimental objections, the Bears' lease at Soldier Field will remain in effect until 2033, although there's a costly provision to break it in 2026.
Local leaders, like Arlington Heights Mayor Jim Tinaglia, are aligning with the Bears' forward motion. "I am glad to hear that, because internally in our office when we meet with them, that's how we feel about it, and we agree with that," he said in a statement obtained by ABC7 Chicago. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, while shutting the door on direct state financial assistance for the stadium, did not rule out helping finance adjacent infrastructure. This support is essential for the Bears' larger vision for the area, which includes restaurants, retail, and public spaces beyond the stadium itself.
