CHICAGO (WLS) -- Chicago Bears President and CEO Kevin Warren reiterated in a letter to fans the day of the home opener that the team is dedicated to building a new stadium in Arlington Heights.
"The Chicago Bears belong to more than just Chicago. We belong to the entire state of Illinois," Warren said. "We are at a pivotal juncture of the Chicago Bears franchise to build a new stadium, our future homein Arlington Heights, which will require zero state money for construction. This is the year to finalize our stadium plans so we can officially bid to host a Super Bowl as soon as 2031. This is the moment to begin moving toward that future, and we want you with us."
Warren said last month at a press conference that a new stadium in Arlington Heights is "the plan."
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"In evaluating options for a new stadium, the focus of the McCaskey family has been clear: build aworld-class stadium that requires zero money from the State of Illinois for its construction. We 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. It allows us to better serve our fan base and deliver a truly transformative and elevated gameday experience," Warren said.
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He said moving outside of the city is not a decision reached easily.
Warren said it does not represent the team leaving, but expanding.
"This is the type of venue and destination that you all have deserved for years, and we are workingevery day to make progress. This stadium will allow us to have the best home field advantage in the National Football League. 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," he said.
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker has shut the door on any state financial help that goes directly to the stadium, but he has told ABC7 that he may be open to the idea of state dollars helping the infrastructure surrounding the stadium.
Village leaders in Arlington Heights are ready to help make that pitch.
"Everything else that has to happen around that can start gearing up and those organizations, collaborations and partners can start looking at as, 'Yeah, they're coming to town, and we need to be at the table to make this the best it could be,'" said Jon Ridler with the Arlington Heights Chamber of Commerce.
The Bears have a lease at Soldier Field through 2033, but there is a possibility to break that lease in 2026 if they pay a hefty fee.
The video in the player above is from an earlier report.
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