ARLINGTON HEIGHTS (WBBM NEWSRADIO) - The results of a recent survey in Arlington Heights are in, and they are not all that surprising. Most residents would love for the Bears to call Arlington Heights home, but they just don’t want to help foot the bill.
Americans for Prosperity Illinois, a political advocacy group, conducted the poll. It showed that 72% of residents would approve of a new stadium built on the grounds of the former Arlington Park racetrack. However, 68% of those polled said they would not want to assist in the funding of the new stadium through taxpayer dollars.
300 registered voters participated in the poll.
The Americans for Prosperity Illinois has been the same group that has been collecting signatures to persuade the village board to create an ordinance that would ban any public money going to the Bears and the potentially new stadium.
The possibility of the Bears moving to Arlington Heights remains realistic. Last September, the franchise signed a $197.2 million purchase agreement for the land that was once Arlington Park. The deal is expected to finalize at the end this year or in early 2023, and the Bears have reportedly commissioned architects to draw up plans for the new stadium.
Meanwhile, Mayor Lightfoot, in a last ditch effort to keep the Bears in the city, revealed a proposal last month to overhaul Soldier Field and the Museum Campus, which would include constructing a dome over the stadium.
The Bears responded with this statement:
“The only potential project the Chicago Bears are exploring for a new stadium development is Arlington Park. As part of our mutual agreement with the seller of that property, we are not pursuing alternative stadium deals or sites, including renovations to Soldier Field, while we are under contract. We have informed the City of Chicago that we intend to honor our contractual commitments as we continue our due diligence and predevelopment activities on the Arlington Heights property.”
The Bears lease with Soldier Field runs through 2033, but according to the Chicago Tribune, can leave as early as 2026, at a cost of $84 million.
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