Reports: Bears suggest alternate form of funding for possible Arlington Heights stadium, wouldn't include tax money

Chicago Bears
This is a preliminary master plan vision with aerial view from the southwest of the proposed stadium complex in Arlington Heights. Photo credit Hart Howerton/Chicago Bears

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- The Bears are proposing a relatively new form of financial arrangement for the redevelopment of the Arlington Park racetrack property as they continue to eye a new stadium there.

It’s called payment in lieu of taxes. It was developed by the federal government to compensate local units of government, including school districts, for tax-exempt properties.

There would be a negotiated payment instead of property taxes.

The amount would presumably be less than property taxes, Crain's reported, which would increase as improvements are made.

“(The Bears are) floating this idea to our state legislators to see what their thoughts are on it and to see if they're receptive to it," Arlington Heights mayor Tom Hayes told the Daily Herald. "It's a creative way to address some of the financing issues.”

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Featured Image Photo Credit: Hart Howerton/Chicago Bears