Sports
Bears Hoping To 'Move Dirt' For New Stadium At Arlington Park In 2025: Report
Kevin Warren, team president, is hoping state lawmakers pass legislation in October that would push a move to Arlington Heights forward.
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL — Building a new stadium at the former Arlington International Racecourse remains the priority for the Chicago Bears. Kevin Warren, team president and CEO, reiterated the sentiment Friday during a news conference alongside owner George McCaskey.
"We're ready now," Warren said at Halas Hall reports Chicago Sun-Times. "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."
In February 2023, the Bears closed on a $197.2 million property agreement to buy the 326-acre property that housed the former racetrack.
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Last year, the Bears unveiled plans for a publicly-owned, domed stadium on the Museum Campus in Chicago. In recent months, that project, with an estimated cost of $4.6 billion, has seemingly stalled, and focus has shifted back to Arlington Heights. The Bears were hoping for legislation to pass in the Illinois General Assembly at the close of the most recent legislative session in June that would've pushed things forward at Arlington Park, but now must wait for lawmakers to reconvene in Springfield.
RELATED: Studies Ongoing Regarding Future Of Arlington Park Site — Village
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Warren said team brass has been meeting with Arlington Heights leaders on a weekly basis, reports Chicago Sun-Times.
"We have a great working relationship with the team, and I have always believed that the former Arlington Park site is the best location for a new NFL stadium centered development for the entire Chicagoland region," Arlington Heights Mayor Jim Tinaglia said in May. "While much work remains to ensure that the community's and the team’s goals can be met, we all agree that the discussions are headed in the right direction, and we are optimistic for the future of this partnership."
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