Chicago Bears Stadium Deal with Illinois Lawmakers

Photos Courtesy of MANICA

The Chicago Bears and Illinois lawmakers are negotiating a deal to keep the NFL team in Illinois, aiming to prevent a potential relocation to Indiana. This agreement centers around public funding for infrastructure improvements at the proposed Arlington Heights stadium site.

Details of the Proposal

The plan, known as PILOT (Payment in Lieu of Taxes), would facilitate the Bears in financing the construction of their new stadium while allowing for negotiations on long-term property tax agreements with the local village. Key points include:

• Support from Leaders: Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and legislative leaders are reportedly backing the funding package.

• Ongoing Discussions: Governor Pritzker noted that negotiations with the Bears are ongoing and productive, emphasizing a commitment to infrastructure improvements while protecting taxpayers.

• Infrastructure Focus: The initiative aims to enhance the essential infrastructure surrounding the proposed stadium, potentially boosting the local economy.

Competition from Indiana

Meanwhile, Indiana remains aggressively seeking to attract the Bears. Recent developments include:

• Indiana lawmakers passed a bill creating the Northwest Indiana Stadium Authority, aimed at building a new stadium near the Illinois border.

• Governor Mike Braun has expressed strong support for attracting the franchise, maintaining pressure on the Bears as discussions with Illinois continue.

As the Indiana legislative session runs through the end of February, the situation remains fluid, with a relocation still in play if an agreement with Illinois does not materialize.

Context of the Bears Relocation Plans

The Bears have been exploring a move from Soldier Field to the Arlington Heights property since 2023, which includes a purchase agreement for the 326-acre Arlington International Racecourse. The team's motivations for this relocation stem from:

• Capacity Restrictions: The stadium has the smallest seating capacity at 61,500.

• Current Limitations: The current stadium has limited capacity and amenities.

• Revenue Generation: The desire to create a facility that can be utilized for multiple major events throughout the year.

This ongoing saga will continue to develop as both states vie for the NFL franchise's future.

------

Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter and his YouTube channel. Email at Marc.Viquez@stadiumjourney.com