ARLINGTON HEIGHTS (WBBM NEWSRADIO) - The Bears’ plans to build a new stadium in Arlington Heights remain on track after a vote at Monday night’s village board meeting went in their favor.
Arlington Heights’ mayor and trustees officially rejected the Americans for Prosperity political group’s petition, by a vote of 9 to 0. The group proposed that the village ban "offering or extending any financial incentive to any business or corporation to operate in the village," which in this specific case, would be the Bears receiving public funding from Arlington Heights taxpayers for the construction of the stadium development.
"It's very clear to me that this proposed ordinance is aimed at Arlington Park and the Chicago Bears," said Village Trustee Richard Baldino. But the ordinance, as proposed, wipes out our entire toolbox for any kind of economic development or new business support."
"I'm sure that there's municipalities out there that do not use incentives properly, and I would urge you to start going and talking to those municipalities, because we have a lot of work to do," said Trustee John Scaletta. "There's a possibility of a new NFL stadium in our town, and you're wasting our time."
The Americans for Prosperity aren’t giving up however. The group said they will start another petition in hopes of getting enough signatures to create a referendum. According to Arlington Heights village code, a petition needs signatures from 12% of registered voters or 6,500 people to reach a referendum on the ballot.
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