The Chicago Bears are pivoting their plans for a new domed stadium once again, shifting focus to another potential location that has thrown fans for a loop—Northwest Indiana.
Bears weigh Arlington Heights viability
Bears President & CEO Kevin Warren announced the trajectory change in an open letter to fans released Wednesday, acknowledging exhaustive efforts in recent years to secure a new stadium in within Cook County, most notably Arlington Heights.
The Bears “still believe [Arlington Heights] offers the best and only path forward in Cook County given there are no other viable alternatives,” according to the letter.
Discussions around the future of the site, however, appears to be at a standstill.
The Bears walked back previous proposals which included taxpayer money for the construction of the Arlington Heights stadium.
The team has still proposed public funding for infrastructure and utilities upgrades to the surrounding campus.
Warren stated that the tax requirements for the Arlington campus, which he called “more than typical for projects of this size,” have not received the desired legislative commitment.
Team suggests cross-border move to Indiana
In light of the Arlington Heights proposal stalling, Warren stated the Bears “need to expand [their] search and critically evaluate opportunities throughout the wider Chicagoland region,” and suggested a stadium build in Northwest Indiana is under consideration.
Following several years of conflicting stadium proposals — from a new lakefront campus south of Soldier Field to multiple suburban sites — public speculation has grown around the Bear’s long-term goals.
Warren addressed speculation stating that the suggestion of a Northwest Indiana move is “not about leverage,” but rather delivering fans a “a world-class stadium.”
“The Bears have called Chicago home for more than a century. One certainty is that our commitment to this city will not change,” said Warren.
“As we move forward, our goal is clear: build a world-class football team that has a world-class stadium worthy of our world-class fans – a stadium that reflects the future we are building together.”
