All articles tagged with #arlington heights
Illinois lawmakers advanced a bill to let the Chicago Bears negotiate property-tax costs for a potential domed stadium in Illinois, aiming to keep the team from moving to Arlington Heights or Hammond, but Chicago Democrats demand city concessions and the measure faces delays as Indiana lures with incentives.
An opinion piece argues the Bears may relocate from Soldier Field to Hammond, Indiana, aided by a state stadium authority and private funding, finding a cheaper, controllable home and potentially revitalizing a Rust Belt area; Arlington Heights plans are costlier and stalled by public financing and political wrangling, and while Illinois officials resist, the article suggests the move could keep the team connected to Chicago's metro even from across the state line.
Chicago native Shae Cornette told ESPN's First Take she isn't that mad about the Bears potentially moving from Soldier Field to northwest Indiana, arguing a new, more accessible stadium could improve the fan experience. With Indiana legislation proposing a stadium authority to fund a Hammond-area site and Chicago's Arlington Heights plan for public funding, Cornette notes the move would mirror other NFL teams playing outside their historic cities if it helps fans.
The Chicago Bears confirmed Halas Hall will remain in Lake Forest, regardless of where a future stadium is built, with Northwest Indiana and Arlington Heights among the sites under consideration for a new stadium.
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker says the Bears’ next stadium is unlikely to be built in Chicago, as Indiana moves to lure them to Hammond and Arlington Heights remains the Illinois option, intensifying cross-state competition as lawmakers weigh megaproject funding and Bears infrastructure needs.
Illinois lawmakers say there’s no deal yet as the Chicago Bears weigh a new stadium in Hammond, Indiana, where Indiana is moving forward with a bill to finance the project via bonds supported by an admission tax and an entertainment district. The Bears would invest about $2 billion, Indiana would contribute over $1 billion, and the stadium would be owned by a state authority. Governor Pritzker says progress is being made on an Illinois framework, but lawmakers warn the Illinois bill isn’t dead and tweaks may be needed. Indiana’s bill is expected to pass soon, while Illinois considers its own path; construction could start this year if a deal materializes. The proposed site near Wolf Lake sits roughly 20 miles from downtown Chicago and would require environmental and NFL approvals, keeping the plan in flux.
Illinois lawmakers, Gov. Pritzker’s office, Arlington Heights officials and the Chicago Bears are nearing a deal to keep the team in Illinois by pursuing a stadium in Arlington Heights, potentially funded for infrastructure and aided by a “mega projects” framework to negotiate property taxes, while ensuring taxpayer protections and fan affordability; Indiana meanwhile has floated a competing stadium offer.
Illinois lawmakers and the Bears are reportedly close to a deal to keep the team in Illinois at Arlington Heights, tying public infrastructure funding to a PILOT property-tax arrangement while Indiana’s rapid push to land a stadium accelerates Illinois talks. Lawmakers are weighing public funding against ticket affordability as Indiana’s deadline looms, with Rep. Kam Buckner opposing funding but saying talks are ongoing to reach a deal.
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker says progress has been made toward a deal to build a new Chicago Bears stadium in Arlington Heights, with the state focused on funding infrastructure around the stadium rather than direct subsidies; negotiations involve Bears leadership, the legislature, and NFL officials, and Indiana’s efforts to lure the team appear unlikely as the Bears prefer to stay in Illinois.
The Chicago Bears are in a cross-border bid for a new home, with Gary, Indiana proposing three domed stadium concepts and Indiana financing plans, while Arlington Heights, Illinois presses to close a deal; Illinois leaders are softening debts and tax hurdles as the Bears’ stadium pursuit intensifies amid a broader NFL venue boom.
Gary, Indiana released renderings for three potential Bears stadium sites—Gary West End, Buffington Harbor, and Miller Beach—as Indiana intensifies its bid to lure the team from Illinois and lawmakers discuss funding and infrastructure. The move emphasizes tax certainty and contrasts with Illinois’ reluctance to fund a new stadium, though Arlington Heights officials are pressing Springfield for a broad infrastructure package.
Arlington Heights officials urge Illinois lawmakers to pass a 'Mega Projects' bill to let the Bears negotiate long-term property taxes for a potential stadium, warning the team could relocate to Indiana where lawmakers have proposed a northwest Indiana stadium authority; Indiana leaders, including Gov. Braun, are pushing the plan, while the Bears say it advances talks. The project is estimated to require about $855 million in infrastructure funding and could create thousands of jobs and billions in activity, though stadium subsidies remain controversial and often debated as good public policy.
Illinois lawmakers continue discussions with the Chicago Bears over a potential domed stadium in Arlington Heights while Indiana lawmakers advance Senate Bill 27 to create the Northwest Indiana Stadium Authority to finance a Bears move there; Governor Braun supports the push, but Illinois lawmakers remain cautious amid Soldier Field renovations debt and an estimated $832 million in infrastructure costs, with Springfield set to resume talks next week.
The Chicago Bears are considering relocating to Northwest Indiana due to stalled efforts to secure public funding for a new stadium in Illinois, despite their preference to stay in Arlington Heights, Illinois. Team president Kevin Warren emphasized their commitment to Chicago but highlighted the need for a world-class stadium, citing delays and lack of support from Illinois state leadership. The move is controversial among fans and officials, with the team seeking significant public investment to build a new venue.
The Chicago Bears are expanding their stadium search beyond Arlington Heights, Illinois, to include Indiana due to lack of support from Illinois politicians for their original site, aiming to find a location that meets their standards and secures necessary infrastructure and legislative backing.