LAKE FOREST, Ill. (670 The Score) – The Bears remain solely focused on constructing a new stadium in Arlington Heights, and that plan is nearly ready to break ground, but the team is relying on the passage of a state bill in October, president Kevin Warren said Friday.
Warren held a media session at Halas Hall in an effort to tout the benefit of the organization building a new stadium at Arlington Park, a 326-acre property the Bears purchased back in 2021. He cited 56,000 construction jobs and 9,100 permanent jobs as part of the development of the new stadium, though he didn't explain how he reached those numbers.
The Bears plan to pay for the construction of the stadium itself but are seeking state funding through legislation for the mixed-use property on site. They've also been seeking the right to negotiate with taxing bodies, but those issues weren't voted on during the Illinois spring legislative session. The fall session runs through October.
“We’re ready now,” Warren said. “Everything is in order. So, if that bill passes in October – there are items we have to work on and obviously there is a process you have to follow with the village of Arlington Heights from an approval process. But obviously they are committed. So, the goal would still be to be in a position to move dirt this year.”
Warren’s comments came just days after Chicago mayor Brandon Johnson told 670 The Score that his “door’s going to remain open” for the Bears to remain within city limits.
Last November, the Bears reached an agreement with three school districts in the village of Arlington Heights that resolved a property tax dispute. That was considered a big hurdle in the stadium project prior to a vote in Springfield on this bill.
In April 2024, the Bears publicly unveiled a plan to construct a new stadium on the property south of Soldier Field, doing so in an elaborate ceremony alongside mayor Johnson and city officials. But Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker wasn’t present that day and spoke off-site about the difficulties that the Bears would face in seeking state funding.
Earlier this year, the Bears announced their singular focus for a new stadium would be on the property in Arlington Heights. Despite the challenges of this stadium project, Warren stressed that the Bears’ plan remains on track – if the state bill is passed.
“That’s why you build these stadiums once every 40 years,” Warren said. “It’s not for the faint of heart, but I’ve been here before. We have the best ownership, not only in the NFL but in all of pro sports, who are supportive. This is something that from an energy standpoint, we all gain on the energy to think that the Bears, in 105 years, have never had their own stadium, which is rare when you think about that. And all the events that we’re missing out on, like I said from a Super Bowl standpoint. It’s been, actually, exactly what I had predicted it would be.
“I’m hopeful that when we get to the fall veto session that people, our legislative leaders will recognize that that time is now. I mean, you have an ownership group who’s committed to leaning into the cost of this stadium.”
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.