ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. (WGN) — The old race track is long gone and if the Bears have their way, they will begin building a domed stadium that will be the envy of football fans across the NFL and the pride and joy of area residents.
At Rep’s Place in nearby Rolling Meadows, they are pumped up about their team and the upcoming season.
“Very excited, if they can protect Caleb. He’s got a lot of weapons,” Wayne Peterson said.
And the prospect of a new stadium digs. Jason Tulloss lives in downtown Arlington Heights.
“I would be totally excited for it. I’m looking forward to it. I think it would be a great thing for the local economy and area in general,” he said.
Officials advocated for a redevelopment of the Museum Campus and Solider Field in April 2024, including a high-profile public pitch with Mayor Brandon Johnson backing what the team was asking for — that the tax payers pick up around $2.4 billion of the total $4.75 billion development.
But state legislators and Governor JB Pritzker declared they would not go along with public money being spent to subsidize one of the NFL’s most profitable franchises.
The Bears then pivoted to the northwest suburbs, announcing in early Aug. that Arlington Heights would be the best overall spot for a new stadium.
The team recently released renderings from architecture firm Hart Howerton of what the new stadium would look like, as well as the development of a nearby mixed-use campus of restaurants, retail and other amenities.
So, what’s next?
Sports marketing consultant Marc Ganis explains moving forward hinges on the infrastructure around the stadium and the state giving a property tax break.
“Most importantly that the Bears will pay for the entirety of the stadium without looking for public sector assistance to pay for it,” he said.
What is unknown at this stage is how the infrastructure associated with the stadium will be paid for and what kind of property tax caps maximums there might be associated with the stadium itself.
The matter is going to be voted on in the upcoming legislative session in Springfield in Oct. Bears Chairman George McCaskey says any further delays will be costly.
“This project can be transformative. The concern would be delay would be a greater expense, and it also means we are missing out on another round of assignment of major events,” McCaskey said.
As stadium owners, the Bears would tap into a major source of big-time revenue with major events such as concerts, hosting an NCAA basketball tournament and a potential Superbowl, not to mention with concessions and parking.
But Arlington Heights Chamber of Commerce President Jon Ridler is quick to add that a rising tide lifts all boats. The Chamber also advocates for small businesses in Rolling Meadows and Palatine.
“We’re going to have a great opportunity to support local businesses instead of just large chain restaurants or chain stores,” Ridler said. “We’re looking for the mom and pops. The people that live here, work here all the time. These are the businesses that are really looking forward to partnering and collaborating with the Bears to produce income.”
The Bears estimate a new stadium build would create 48,000 jobs and generate $9.4 billion in overall economic impact.
Back at Rep’s Place, owner Mike Reppe is champing at the bit for the old race track to usher in a new prosperous day. He envisions serving the people building the stadium, hiring more staff and game day specials.
“For the next four or five years, you got construction workers in and out every day. When it comes to game time, more people will be watching the game whether it’s here or at the stadium,” he said. “But then if you have people pregaming who don’t want to do the tailgate, they can just come to a place that’s just off the site.”
Patrick Elwood
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