Information on Soldier Discipline, transfer to Arlington Heights

The Chicago Bears launched into a brand new period in February 2023 with the acquisition of a website in Arlington Heights the place the staff hopes to construct a brand new enclosed stadium with an enormous leisure and residential growth.

In April 2024, the staff laid out elaborate plans for a brand new publicly owned domed stadium, however now, the storied NFL franchise’s sights are targeted on the northwest suburbs.

Right here’s what to know in regards to the lengthy highway to a brand new stadium.

Information from Springfield

State Sen. Kam Buckner listens because the Bears announce their plans to construct a brand new domed stadium April 24, 2024, at Soldier Discipline. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

One of many Illinois legislature’s largest opponents of the Bears’ plan to relocate outdoors town launched laws on Oct. 14, 2025, that might stall or hinder the staff’s efforts, however vital questions stay about whether or not the invoice will garner sufficient assist or when it may be voted on.

The laws from state Rep. Kam Buckner of Chicago — a former College of Illinois soccer participant who represents the district the place Soldier Discipline is positioned — requires larger transparency round stadium offers in Illinois and will require the staff to dig deeper into its pockets. It stays silent, nevertheless, about main monetary points, together with whether or not the franchise must repay excellent debt for the 2003 Soldier Discipline renovation, some extent some opponents of the staff’s transfer have mentioned is a naked minimal for his or her assist. In an interview with the Tribune on the state Capitol after introducing the laws, Buckner mentioned the invoice was a place to begin.

The newest growth

The Bears released an economic impact report that included architectural renderings of the proposed stadium in Arlington Heights on Sept. 30, 2025. (MANICA Architecture) — The Bears launched an financial affect report that included architectural renderings of the proposed stadium in Arlington Heights on Sept. 30, 2025. (MANICA Structure)

Development of a brand new Bears stadium in Arlington Heights would generate 1000’s of jobs and billions of {dollars} in financial exercise, however would additionally require substantial taxpayer assist for infrastructure, in accordance with staff projections launched on Sept. 30.

Infrastructure equivalent to entrance and exit ramps from close to Route 53 and modifications to the adjoining Metra prepare line would price $855 million in public funds, the staff’s advisor estimated in its report. The report makes an attempt to assuage issues in regards to the price ticket by pointing to gross state tax revenues of just about $1.3 billion over 40 years, in accordance with projections from HR&A Advisors, Inc.

Kevin Warren all however shuts the door on the Bears staying in Chicago

Chicago Bears President Kevin Warren looks around Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London before the start of a game between the Chicago Bears and the Jacksonville Jaguars on Oct. 13, 2024. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune) — Chicago Bears President Kevin Warren appears to be like round Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London earlier than the beginning of a recreation between the Chicago Bears and the Jacksonville Jaguars on Oct. 13, 2024. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)

The Bears all however slammed the door on constructing an enclosed stadium within the metropolis, with staff president Kevin Warren writing in a letter to followers on Sept. 8 that the staff’s “future house” is in Arlington Heights.

“Transferring outdoors of town of Chicago is just not a choice we reached simply,” Warren mentioned. “This mission doesn’t characterize us leaving, it represents us increasing. The Bears draw followers from throughout Illinois, and over 50 % of our season-ticket holders stay inside 25 miles of the Arlington Heights website.”

Warren made it clear the staff is dedicated to constructing a stadium, saying “that is the 12 months” to finalize plans so the staff may bid to host a Tremendous Bowl “as quickly as 2031.” He mentioned the stadium would “require zero state cash for building,” however the staff would wish the legislature to go a invoice in October to begin building this 12 months.

Arlington Park’s rebirth

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The previous Arlington Worldwide Racecourse is seen at dawn on Might 23, 2025, in Arlington Heights. (Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune)

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One week earlier than his inauguration as the new mayor of Arlington Heights, Jim Tinaglia walked via the downtown streets he’s referred to as house for greater than 50 years. What was as soon as a “sleepy little city,” as he described it, has grow to be a bustling group, a spot Tinaglia has had a hand in constructing, himself, via his work as an architect.

He’d constructed “not less than a dozen” locations right here over the previous 35 years.

If there’d been a continuing amid all the expansion in one in all Chicago’s largest suburbs it was most likely the horse racing monitor slightly methods northwest of downtown, the one now locked away and ready for brand new life. For many years, Arlington Park had been a deeply-ingrained a part of the tradition right here, and a supply of delight.

Incoming mayor Jim Tinaglia in downtown Arlington Heights on April 28, 2025. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)

“Our identification,” Tinaglia mentioned of the monitor. “For 100 years.”

Now it is going to be his mission to steer Arlington Park’s rebirth — to finish the lengthy, winding journey of bringing the Bears to Arlington Heights. It’s a big a part of why he ran for mayor, and likewise why he believes he was elected: to complete a deal that has confirmed elusive since a rush of early momentum, and to assist persuade Bears management, as soon as and for all, that they need to transfer from Chicago to the northwest suburbs.

A domed stadium on the Chicago lakefront?

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An artist’s rendering of a brand new state-of-the-art enclosed stadium with open area entry to the lakefront was launched by the Chicago Bears on April 24, 2024. (Manica)

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Warren envisions a stadium simply south of the Bears’ present house at Soldier Discipline, on the positioning of what’s now a parking zone. The ability would seat about 65,000 for soccer, with standing room as much as 70,000, and a capability of 77,000 for basketball.

In contrast to Soldier Discipline, it may maintain occasions year-round, together with live shows, soccer, school basketball playoffs, or, as soon as in a terrific whereas, the Tremendous Bowl.

Soldier Discipline can be torn down, however its colonnades can be saved and 14 acres of athletic fields and open area added in between and to the north of the colonnades, to be used by native sports activities groups, graduations and different occasions. If accepted this 12 months, the stadium would open in 2028.

The Bears say they might pay $2 billion, an enormous personal funding, plus $300 million requested from the NFL. The remainder of the $3.2 billion price of the stadium alone can be paid with $900 million from the state. The staff mentioned one other $325 million can be wanted for infrastructure, together with improved highway entry and utilities as a part of as much as $1.5 billion for full build-out with extras like a resort.

The general public cash can be borrowed via bonds issued by the Illinois Sports activities Amenities Authority, or ISFA, which beforehand financed building of Assured Price Discipline, the place the White Sox play, and the 2003 renovation of Soldier Discipline. The bonds are to be repaid over 40 years by town’s 2% resort tax.

“I stay skeptical about this proposal, and I ponder whether it’s an excellent deal for the taxpayers,” Gov. J.B. Pritzker mentioned. “There are plenty of priorities that the state has, and I’m undecided that that is among the many highest priorities for taxpayers.”

Mates of the Parks, a not-for-profit group that advocates for town’s Lakefront Safety ordinance, which limits the lakefront to public use, criticized the stadium plan as rushed and never clear, evaluating it in a press release to different faltering mega-developments like The 78 and Lincoln Yards.

May Indiana be an possibility?

The Indiana legislature moved a invoice aimed toward attracting the Bears to Northwest Indiana simply yards from the tip zone, with ultimate approval by the Senate on April 9.

Home Invoice 1292, authored by Rep. Earl Harris, D-East Chicago, would set up a Northwest Indiana skilled growth fee and an expert sports activities growth fund. The fee can be tasked with exploring and implementing methods to draw a number of sports activities franchises to Northwest Indiana, Harris mentioned.

The invoice handed the Senate 46-2.

“The Bears are the large boy, in order that has obtained essentially the most consideration,” Harris mentioned. “Actually, I might find it irresistible if the Bears moved their location over to Northwest Indiana, however we’re open to any sport.”

What about one other website in Chicago?

The former Michael Reese Hospital site, between a truck marshaling yard and Prairie Shores apartments on April 26, 2023. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune) — The previous Michael Reese Hospital website, between a truck marshaling yard and Prairie Shores flats on April 26, 2023. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

The Bears are reconsidering the previous Michael Reese Hospital website as a possible location for a brand new stadium, a supply mentioned, however the staff stays targeted on the lakefront.

The staff is open to any various that will work, however officers have mentioned beforehand that the previous hospital website was unworkable as a result of it’s subsequent to Metra prepare tracks that pose a safety threat. The 49-acre website is restricted as a result of it’s lengthy and thin, sandwiched between the tracks and DuSable Lake Shore Drive on the east, flats on the west, thirty first Road on the south and the Stevenson Expressway to the north.

The benefit of the positioning is that it’s principally open land, not removed from the Loop and the lake, and subsequent to McCormick Place Conference Middle. It might additionally keep away from a authorized battle over the Bears’ proposal to construct a $3.2 billion roofed stadium on the lake to exchange the staff’s present house in Soldier Discipline.

Different choices in Illinois

Different cities and municipalities round Illinois have beforehand expressed curiosity in speaking to the Bears a few future stadium.

Naperville

Naperville Mayor Scott Wehrli needs to develop underused properties alongside the Interstate 88 tollway, the place the previous BP Amoco website can be greater than large enough at 187 acres.

Waukegan

Waukegan Mayor Ann Taylor mentioned a number of places have the area for a stadium and leisure space with entry to Interstate 94, U.S. Route 41 and public transportation. The Bears already prepare in Lake Forest, 9 miles south of Waukegan.

Aurora

In a letter from Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin to the Bears, he touts Aurora’s historical past, location and monitor document of getting developments performed. The letter comes on the heels of President/CEO Kevin Warren saying lately that the Bears are “ready to begin exploring different locations and alternatives and not considers Arlington Heights as a singular focus.”

Rockford

State Rep. Dave Vella, a Democrat from Rockford, advised the Tribune he’d like his metropolis to have an opportunity at bringing the Bears there. Whereas acknowledging that Rockford is 90 miles from Chicago, he touted Rockford’s transportation growth and the way that could possibly be used at Bears followers’ comfort.

Richton Park

Richton Park Mayor Rick Reinbold touted massive expanses of obtainable land and the south suburb’s proximity to highways and the Metra Electrical Line: “Enable me to curiosity you in greenfield alternatives awaiting the Bears in Richton Park!”

Nation Membership Hills

Prepare dinner County Commissioner Monica Gordon is encouraging the soccer staff to contemplate Nation Membership Hills, throwing what her workplace described as a “Hail Mary go” to encourage the staff to contemplate the south suburb. “We’re taking our shot at nighttime right here,” Nation Membership Hills Mayor James Ford mentioned.

What would occur to Soldier Discipline with out the Bears?

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Soldier Discipline on the lakefront on March 11, 2024. the place the Bears have proposed constructing a brand new domed stadium. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

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