NEWSLETTER
The Chicago Bears are maintaining a “methodical” pace when it comes to their upcoming stadium project.
Chicago Tribune reporter Jeremy Garner reports the Bears will not pursue legislation during the Illinois General Assembly’s fall session, as they seek help to build a new stadium. Over at WGN, Larry Hawley shares a statement from team President and CEO Kevin Warren:
“Our process to find the best stadium solution for our franchise, our fans and the region continues to be methodical and intentional. Thanks to the leadership of Mayor Brandon Johnson and his team, we have recently engaged in positive and productive discussions with the City of Chicago, We also continue to have dialogue with officials in Arlington Heights and other Chicagoland locations about a Chicago Bears stadium project.
“At this time, we want to appropriately explore all opportunities for the development of a world-class stadium and therefore will not be pursuing legislative support for mega projective incentive legislation in the Illinois General Assembly’s Fall Veto Session.”
Last week, Bears President Kevin Warren shared an update regarding the team’s stadium project via a letter to season ticket holders. Admittedly, it wasn’t much. Warren didn’t deliver any groundbreaking material. Instead, it was a continued echoing of sentiments he had been sharing in recent weeks. In short, Warren was continuing to preach patience in what he describes as a “very methodical process.” I’d say that term fits the bill. Particularly after this update in which those sentiments continue to be present in Warren’s latest statements. Go figure.
MORE: Bears Stadium Project in Arlington Heights “Will Be First” on Kevin Warren’s To-Do List
Yes, the Bears paid gobs of money for the Arlington Park site which is still the presumptive favorite to be the future home of the Bears. And, sure, the demolition project in Arlington Heights continues. But it isn’t the certified stone-cold lock it felt like around this time last year when the Bears were holding what amounted to an open house featuring a sneak peek of plans. Especially since there is reportedly a gap in what the Bears and suburban school districts think should be paid in taxes over the next two years.
In other words, don’t expect a quick and neat resolution any time soon. The Bears’ pending flight to the suburbs is taking a slow and steady pace. So much so that the city of Chicago remains in discussion to keep the team within city limits because of productive discussions between Warren and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson. Of course, Chicago isn’t alone in having conversations about being the future home of Bears football. Since the Bears made it known in June that Arlington Park was no longer the franchise’s only option, the team has engaged with a variety of regional municipalities. Naperville, Aurora, Waukegan, and Richton Park are among those who have let it be known that they would be down to be a home site for Bears football.
