Future Home For Bears In Arlington Heights Will Require No IL Money For Construction: President

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL — In an open letter to fans Monday with the team's season set to kick off, Chicago Bears President Kevin Warren said the organization is at a "pivotal juncture" and a new stadium at the former Arlington Park site will require "zero state money for construction."

The letter, also shared on social media, was sent out just hours before the Bears were set to host the Minnesota Vikings at their current stadium, Solider Field in Chicago, on Monday Night Football.

The proposed stadium at the former racetrack will include a fixed-roof and a corresponding mixed-use development.

"This is the year to finalize our stadium plans so we can officially bid to host a Super Bowl as soon as 2031," Warren said. "This is the moment to begin moving toward that future, and we want you with us."

Warren, who was hired as the team's president and CEO in 2023, said the focus of the McCaskey family is to build a world-class stadium minus any help from the state. He added that the Bears are partnering with political, labor, business, and community leaders across Illinois to develop a plan for property tax certainty and a fair contribution toward essential infrastructure that will benefit the entire community.

"Arlington Heights is the only site within Cook County that meets that standard," Warren said. "It allows us to better serve our fan base and deliver a truly transformative and elevated gameday experience."

In February 2023, the Bears closed on a $197.2 million property agreement to buy the 326-acre property that housed the former racetrack.

"Moving outside of the city of Chicago is not a decision we reached easily," Warren said. "This project does not represent us leaving, it represents us expanding. The Bears draw fans from all over Illinois, and over 50 percent of our season-ticket holders live within 25 miles of the Arlington Heights site."

Warren said the new stadium "will elevate the fan experience" with easy access, whether by Metra train directly to the site or a short drive "with ample parking and tailgating, creating a vital connection between Chicago and the broader Cook County community, ensuring every fan feels at home."

According to the organization, the Arlington Heights stadium project will create more than 56,000 construction jobs, and 9,000 permanent jobs. The team is forecasting $10 billion in economic impact attributed to statewide construction, and $256 million in annual statewide new business and tourism impact.

"While we do not yet have all the answers, we are optimistic about working with the Village of Arlington Heights to obtain necessary approvals and begin building our new home," Warren said.

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