The Chicago Bears are expanding their new stadium site search from Arlington Heights to the wider Chicagoland area, including Northwest Indiana, Chicago Bears President and CEO Kevin Warren said in an open letter Wednesday.
Warren cited a lack of cooperation with Illinois lawmakers on making the infrastructure surrounding their stadium plans in Arlington Heights.
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Warren said in his letter that their proposed plan to build a stadium in Arlington Heights would not require Illinois taxpayer dollars for the stadium itself, but the NFL team continues to seek state aid to construct the surrounding area.
“We have been told directly by State leadership, our project will not be a priority in 2026, despite the benefits it will bring to Illinois,” Warren’s letter read in part. “Consequently, in addition to Arlington Park, we need to expand our search and critically evaluate opportunities throughout the wider Chicagoland region, including Northwest Indiana. This is not about leverage. We spent years trying to build a new home in Cook County. We invested significant time and resources evaluating multiple sites and rationally decided on Arlington Heights.
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Governor JB Pritzker’s spokesperson shared the following statement:
“Suggesting the Bears would move to Indiana is a startling slap in the face to all the beloved and loyal fans who have been rallying around the team during this strong season. The Governor’s a Bears fan who has always wanted them to stay in Chicago. He has also said that ultimately they are a private business that makes their own decisions, but the Governor has also been clear that the bottom line for any private business development should not come at the full expense of taxpayers.”
Cook County Board of Commissioners President Toni Preckwinkle shared the following statement:
“We’re proud to have recently hosted a productive meeting between the State, City and County and the Bears. It was important for us to bring everyone to the table and have a conversation around making a serious commitment to keeping the Bears in Cook County and Illinois. We’re shocked and disappointed that the Bears would discuss moving to Indiana at this time.”
The Bears said in a letter to lawmakers in October that they would set aside $25 million for Chicago and the Chicago Park District amid their stadium move to Arlington Heights.
The funds could be used for maintenance of Soldier Field, support of park district programs, paying any shortfall of Illinois Sports Facilities Authority bond payments or anything else, the letter said.
SEE ALSO:Illinois, Arlington Heights leaders discuss funding construction of new Bears stadium
In October, State Rep. Kam Buckner called the offer not just “inadequate” but “disrespectful.”
“It reflects a longer pattern of tone-deafness from this franchise when it comes to its relationship with the city that made it,” he said. “We’re talking about a franchise valued at nearly $10 billion offering scraps to Chicago.”
