Bears president Kevin Warren wanted to give an update on the Arlington Heights stadium project.
Instead, it came across more as an appeal to the legislature in Springfield to pass the mega project bill at its fall session to help get the structure moving.
"The biggest item that remains, that has remained, is the fact that this mega project bill that was on the docket in the spring but was not put forth for a vote, but it is very, very important that it passes because without that legislation, we are not able to proceed forward," Warren said. "We stand ready. The stadium is designed.
"Like I said, we have been meeting weekly with the village and it's been good to work with (Arlington Heights) mayor (Jim) Tinaglia and the biggest issue that we have to realize is that there's been some conversation that people have said this is a Chicago Bears bill. Would the Bears benefit from this mega project, property tax bill, from a property tax standpoint? Absolutely. But this is a job's bill."
The bill would freeze property taxes for large-scale construction projects like the stadium and make it possible to proceed.
The proposed seating chart for the Bears’ Arlington Heights stadium that was sent out in a survey to select season ticket holders. pic.twitter.com/ayi8mwhL67
— Bears History (@ChiBearsHistory) July 9, 2025
Warren maintains the bill could create 56,000 jobs during construction and 9,000 permanent jobs, although this doesn't mention the jobs they will cause to be eliminated by leaving Soldier Field. The lease for Soldier Field runs through 2033.
"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," Warren said. "But obviously they are committed.
Kevin Warren's stadium saga
Jan 2023: We are focused on building in Arlington Heights
April 2024: We are focused on building in downtown Chicago
April 2025: We are focused on both downtown and Arlington Heights
Aug 2025: We are focused on building in Arlington Heights
— Brendan Sugrue (@BrendanSugrue) August 8, 2025
"So the goal would still be to be in a position to move dirt this year. There’s still work, some initial work that needs to be done to get the site ready but to hopefully break ground next year formally but to actually move dirt this year."
Warren has said it would take three years for the stadium to be built once ground is broken.
I hate this “stadium in Arlington Heights” thing so much. Just hate it.
— Lara Pawolka (@LaraPawolka) August 8, 2025
The Bears are devoting about $2.7 billion to the project on their own property at the old Arlington International Racecourse.
The project seems to have taken forever as it fluctuated from Arlington Heights in 2021, to Chicago lakefront and then back to Arlington Heights now. Warren repeated earlier comments saying Arlington Heights is the sole focus for the stadium now.
It is an indoor stadium, designed for year-round use with concerts, basketball and even the Super Bowl
I’m sorry but Arlington Heights is lame. It always has been. Putting the new Bears stadium there won’t make it any less lame unless they completely change the area around the proposed stadium. Solder Field you walk out and have everything you can imagine within walking distance.… pic.twitter.com/408rQpDmEC
— Martha 🇺🇸🏴🇮🇪🇳🇴🇦🇴 (@gwoman9810) August 8, 2025
"These things take time," Bears owner George McCaskey said. "It's on us to convince the governor and the state legislators that this is a good idea for the people of Illinois and we need to do a better job at that.
"This project can be, as Kevin said, transformative. And the concern is that delays mean a greater expense and it also means that we're missing out on another round of assignments of major events. We need to get in the mix."
#Bears president Kevin Warren announced today that the Bears sole focus for stadium development is in Arlington Heights
The stadium bill must be passed in October in order for the team to officially break ground in December 🐻⬇️ pic.twitter.com/Pg1n9WcB3G
— SleeperBears (@SleeperBears) August 8, 2025
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