Chicago Bears Seek $855M in Public Funds for Infrastructure at New Stadium

The Chicago Bears are in search of $855.2 million in public funding to pay for infrastructure related to a brand new stadium that might be constructed on a former horse racing monitor in Arlington Heights, Ailing., about 25 miles northwest of their present location at Soldier Subject on Chicago’s Grant Park.

The request by the Nationwide Soccer League franchise group is contained in a report launched Oct.1 and ready by the actual property consulting agency HR&A Advisors. It outlines anticipated prices and revenues associated to the brand new stadium that the group desires to construct to draw Tremendous Bowls, faculty nationwide soccer nationwide championships and different premium occasions.

The Bears have dedicated to paying the $2 billion price of the stadium, itself, which, together with an adjoining mixed-use district improvement, would characterize a complete capital funding of greater than $5 billion, in accordance with the report, which additionally estimates that the mission would create 56,600 building jobs throughout the state. 

A normal contractor has not but been named for the stadium. The architect is Kansas Metropolis-based Manica Structure. Hart Howerton, which is headquartered in New York Metropolis and San Francisco, is engaged on the grasp plan for a surrounding mixed-use district that would characteristic retail, eating places, housing, a resort and parkland.

Just lately launched renderings for the proposed stadium present a set roof, domed stadium with seating for 65,000 to 70,000 followers. The plans additionally name for public transit practice entry, expanded parking and new infrastructure to enhance entry and tailgating. Chicago’s Metra suburban commuter rail system already went to the previous Arlington Park horse racing monitor on the location. 

The Chicago Bears have launched renderings of a proposed $2 billion stadium in Arlington Heights.
Rendering courtesy of Manica Structure

The report estimates that the redevelopment would generate gross public income over 40 years of just about $2.28 billion that might go to native, county, and state jurisdictions, not together with property taxes.

“Including a state-of-the-art enclosed facility able to internet hosting occasions year-round, surrounded by a vibrant mixed-use district, and linked to America’s third largest metropolis will dramatically elevate Chicagoland’s sports activities and leisure scene,” the report states.  

The plan requires redeveloping a 326-acre tract which “is likely one of the final large-scale, assembled transit-oriented improvement alternatives within the area,” in accordance with the report.

The Bears confirmed in September that they need to transfer ahead with constructing a brand new stadium exterior of Chicago, and hope for building to begin in 2026.

The group cannot begin constructing the stadium till they get approval from the state legislature on a “mega mission” invoice that might allow the Bears and different builders of tasks within the $100-million to $500-million vary to barter property tax ranges with native municipalities, fairly than paying an annual charge based mostly on the property’s assessed worth.

The invoice languished within the spring and will likely be more durable to move within the fall veto session, which requires a three-fifths majority for all payments, and is scheduled for Oct. 14.

 Crain’s Chicago Enterprise reported in 2024 that the Bears nonetheless owe about $620 million for the final Soldier Subject rebuild in 2003, which additionally might hinder plans for a brand new stadium.

“We have to ensure that the taxpayers are usually not burdened by the debt that was placed on the constructing of [Solider Field] stadium, if we’re then going to go and assist extra funding for something to do with the subsequent stadium,” Gov. JB Pritzker (D) stated at an unrelated occasion on Oct. 2. 

A Tremendous Bowl hosted in Arlington
Heights would generate over $230 million
in financial exercise throughout Chicago and
generate over $7.2 million in fiscal revenues
for the Metropolis of Chicago, in accordance with the report.