What to know about the Chicago Bears’ possible move from Soldier Field — and which other suburbs are vying for the stadium

The Chicago Bears embarked on a new era in February 2023 with the purchase of a site in Arlington Heights where the team hopes to build a new enclosed stadium with a massive entertainment and residential development.

But the team has hit a financial roadblock in their proposed move to Arlington Heights, and now other municipalities have been vying in a sort of roulette to attract — or in Chicago’s case, keep — the team.

Naperville, Rockford, Chicago and, most recently, Waukegan and Aurora have placed themselves in the running to land the white whale of the NFL — though some officials concede the team may be using them for leverage in negotiations with Arlington Heights.

Here’s what to know about the possible move from Soldier Field.

Bears President Kevin Warren in his office with a photo of team founder George Halas on June 29, 2023, at Halas Hall. (Brian Cassella)

The Bears continue to check out a variety of sites in and around Chicago — including the site of Soldier Field — as potential homes for a new stadium, officials said on Dec. 6.

The Bears are doing due diligence on the viability of the south parking lot at Soldier Field as the location for their next stadium, according to unnamed sources cited by The Parkins & Spiegel Show on WSCR-AM 670 The Score.

The parking area south of Soldier Field includes a garage and a ground-level lot. The area is party central for tailgating fans. The area once was recommended by a mayoral task force as the site of the proposed Lucas Museum.

President and CEO Kevin Warren sent a letter to season ticket holders before the 2023 season opener, saying he is “working diligently to deliver on a new, multipurpose indoor stadium complex that will provide a best-in-class gameday experience.”

Warren said he has reengaged with Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, and praised the “vision” the mayor’s team has offered regarding the team staying in the city. Still, the team remains engaged with officials in Arlington Heights and other suburbs.

“We are encouraged by the progress so far,” Warren wrote, “and we look forward to narrowing and defining our location in the near future.” Read more here.

Bears say they won’t pursue legislation on stadium development during fall session in Springfield

Demolition of Arlington International Racecourse continues as a possible site for a new stadium as the Bears decide on a stadium for the future. (Chicago Tribune)

Naperville

The Bears have quickly had two meetings with city officials, after Naperville Mayor Scott Wehrli wrote to invite the team to talk. The mayor said he’s had very preliminary discussions with Bears President and CEO Kevin Warren.

Wehrli has said he wants to develop underused properties along the Interstate 88 tollway, where the former BP Amoco site would be more than big enough at 187 acres.

Concerns about traffic and safety raised in Naperville’s second stadium meeting with Bears, councilman saysNaperville mayor defends meeting with Bears about stadium, stressing protocols will be followed if proposal is made

Waukegan

Waukegan Mayor Ann Taylor wrote a letter Monday to Warren, proposing that the Bears build a new stadium on lakefront property.

Several locations Taylor cited have the space for a stadium and entertainment area with access to Interstate 94, U.S. Route 41 and public transportation. The Bears already train in Lake Forest, 9 miles south of Waukegan.

Waukegan has vacant lakefront land available for potential Bears stadium

Aurora

Mayor Richard Irvin has invited the Bears to consider relocating to the suburb.

In a letter from Irvin to the Bears, he touts Aurora’s history, location and track record of getting developments done. The letter comes on the heels of President/CEO Kevin Warren saying recently that the Bears are “in a position to start exploring other places and opportunities and no longer considers Arlington Heights as a singular focus.”

Rockford

State Rep. Dave Vella, a Democrat from Rockford, told the Tribune he’d like his city to have a chance at bringing the Bears there.

While acknowledging that Rockford is 90 miles from Chicago, he touted Rockford’s transportation development and how that could be used at Bears fans’ convenience.

Richton Park

In a letter to Bears President and CEO Kevin Warren, Richton Park Mayor Rick Reinbold touted large expanses of available land and the south suburb’s proximity to highways and the Metra Electric Line.

“I understand how the complexity of completing a stadium deal at the former Arlington Park site can be frustrating,” Reinbold told Warren in the July 21 letter. “Allow me to interest you in greenfield opportunities awaiting the Bears in Richton Park!”

Country Club Hills

Cook County Commissioner Monica Gordon is encouraging the football team to consider Country Club Hills, throwing what her office described as a “Hail Mary pass” to encourage the team to consider the south suburb.

Gordon said in a news release she and Country Club Hills Mayor James Ford “are imploring the team to look at the south suburbs as an opportunity to have a positive economic impact on a part of the Chicagoland area that is ignored all too often.” “We’re taking our shot in the dark here,” Ford said.

Arlington Heights

The main difference between Arlington Heights and the other sites, of course, is that the Bears own property there — and demolition has begun. The site is big enough for a stadium and a huge proposed housing and entertainment complex. It has a Metra train station and is next to Route 53, not far from the I-90 tollway.

Chicago Bears, schools are $100M apart on tax value of former Arlington Park, complicating stadium proposalEven as Chicago Bears open season with losses, Arlington Heights Village Board working to bring stadium to suburbKevin Warren says Bears seek ‘legitimate partner’ in picking site for new stadium. Would that be Arlington Heights? Maybe.Arlington Heights-area school districts reach agreement with Churchill Downs on racecourse property taxes — but deal with Bears still being soughtNewly seated Arlington Heights trustees get rundown on Bears plans to move to Arlington Heights: ‘We’ve still got a long, long way to go’Some Arlington Heights residents decry lack of input in possible stadium move: ‘Bears should stay in Chicago where they belong’

Chicago

Mayor Brandon Johnson said he wanted to keep the team in the city and met with Warren about what they called their shared commitment to the city.

Johnson didn’t offer any specifics, but the mayor said it’s important to have conversations to keep the Bears “shuffling” in Chicago, a reference to the team’s only Super Bowl win, in 1986.

Bears president and Mayor Johnson continue talking as NFL team keeps stadium options openChicago’s Soldier Field: A timeline of events since 1924, including hosting the world’s athletes, congregations, politicians and performersWhat are the costs if the Bears bail on Chicago for Arlington Heights?

A Chicago Bears fan takes his seat early before a game at Soldier Field on Jan. 8, 2023. (John J. Kim / Chicago Tribune)

The divorce is far from a foregone conclusion — the Bears have simply taken the next step, one they’ve been telegraphing for over a year.

If the team leaves Soldier Field, Friends of the Parks Executive Director Juanita Irizarry said she hopes the stadium can host many more concerts each year, easing the increasingly controversial burden on neighborhood parks for big musical events such as Riot Fest in Douglass Park and the recently announced Re:SET festival in Riis Park. Read more here.

What would a potential new stadium be like? Here’s a look at the 7 newest NFL stadiums, from capacity to best amenities.Developer details ‘reimagined’ domed Soldier Field in ‘Hail Mary’ bid to keep Bears in Chicago. Take the 6-minute video tour.A Bears move may leave thousands of fans with worthless Soldier Field seat licenses

Crews demolish the grandstand and surrounding structures at the former Arlington International Racecourse on Sept. 25, 2023, in Arlington Heights. (Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune)

Catch up on the latest Bears-related headlines out of Arlington Heights.

‘Touchdown’ group looking to help local businesses and community have win-win with Bears proposed move to Arlington HeightsBears stadium development could on hinge on TIF money — a financial tool that’s had varying success in Arlington HeightsArlington Heights mayor and trustees balk at ‘offensive’ accusation that leaders are on the take in possible Bears stadium moveAnticipating security needs for a Bears stadium, Arlington Heights police and fire visit stadium venues in LA, Vegas and DallasBears’ proposed move to Arlington Heights could have property owners cashing in with rising sale pricesBears promise ‘first-class experience’ for fans during stadium meeting in Arlington HeightsArlington Heights trustees ‘all in’ on establishing redevelopment agreement for Bears stadium — but meh on some parts of team’s proposalBears’ plans for stadium in Arlington Heights excite many suburbanites. But with funding a big issue, economists caution about subsidies.

Tanesha Wade and George McCaskey listen in as Bears president and CEO Ted Phillips (center) speaks to the crowd during an informational public meeting at Hersey High School in Arlington Heights on Sept. 8, 2022. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune)

Bears Chairman George McCaskey and president/CEO Ted Phillips sat down with the Tribune in 2022. Here are some of their answers on how the Arlington project will be handled as Phillips prepares to depart, how Phillips reflects on his tenure and much more. Read it here.

‘One step at a time’: Bears remain in a waiting game for a potential new stadium in Arlington HeightsBears confirm work with Manica Architecture and 2 other firms for Arlington Heights stadium project

A kick sails over a mass of Bear defenders to clear the crossbar and give Washington a 3-0 lead at Soldier Field on Nov. 14, 1971. The Bears have played their home games at Soldier Field since 1971. (Ray Gora / Chicago Tribune)

While the Bears have called Soldier Field home since 1971, the team has discussed or proposed playing its games elsewhere throughout much of the last 50 years.

Wrigley Field served as the original home venue for the team when it moved to Chicago in 1921 and remained there through 1970. The team won nearly 70% of its home games during that span.

But the Bears were forced to find a new home after the American Football League merged with the National Football League and required stadiums to seat at least 50,000 fans. The team played its last game at Wrigley Field on Dec. 13, 1970, beating the Packers 35-17. Read more here.

The Arlington International Racecourse on Oct. 6, 2021. The Chicago Bears have a deal in place to buy the shuttered racetrack. (Erin Hooley / Chicago Tribune)

If the Bears dare to dream big about a new stadium in Arlington Heights, they can find inspiration in SoFi Stadium, the new star attraction of the NFL.

The league’s largest and most expensive arena and the site of the Super Bowl, SoFi, just outside Los Angeles, is overwhelming fans with its sweeping curves and epic scale. The stadium and its development highlight certain parallels to the Bears’ proposal to buy and redevelop Arlington International Racecourse. Both reflect desires to leave century-old stadiums and home cities for vast sites that allow for planned enclaves of surrounding restaurants, hotels, offices, stores and homes. Read more here.

Arlington Heights residents favor a Bears stadium — but not tax help, a libertarian poll finds. But the mayor is wary of the questioning.Could the site of a proposed Bears stadium in Arlington Heights also include a minor-league baseball complex?Restaurants? Soccer stadium? With careful planning, an Arlington Heights stadium could lure additional developmentHow Arlington Heights hung a welcome sign for BearsArlington International Racecourse: History of one of the ‘world’s most beautiful racetracks’

Fans settle into their seats prior to the start of a game between the Bears and Lions at Soldier Field on Oct. 3, 2021. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune)

Some fans expressed a draft day-like optimism that better days are ahead. They dreamed openly of shorter concessions, easier parking, better tailgating opportunities and a domed stadium that protected them from biting winter winds.

“I’ve been to multiple stadiums in the NFL and Soldier Field does not compete with any of them,” Bears season ticket holder Neal Shah of Wheaton said. “On game days, the television crews show an aerial view of the stadium, which is beautiful, but the logistics are terrible.” Read more here.

At tailgates outside Soldier Field, the Bears’ possible departure is a burning issue: ‘Arlington Heights, if they move, here I come’Would travel to a Bears stadium in Arlington Heights be better or worse than Soldier Field? It depends on how you get there, fans say.A Bears move to Arlington Heights would be a ‘win-win’ to many. But about that traffic and construction …

Originally Published: Oct 01, 2021 at 9:14 am

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